Hello Monday, Pumpkin Edition

Saying hello to family fun & pumpkins this Monday....

       hello, dancing in the parking lot

hello, louisburg

hello, apples

hello, cider making watchers

hello, pumpkins

hello, pumpkin hugs

hello, sister hugs

hello, big girl behind the lens

Linking to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday post. I'll say it again: visit her shop. You will love it. Christmas is coming & I will be making a list of my Lisa Leonard needs very soon.

P.S., Please vote.

Hello Late Night Monday

Saying "hello" a bit late today....Here's some fun stuff from the weekend:

 hello new adventure

hello roadside flowers

hello 20+ year old legos

hello air that i breathe

hello family history

hello crappy sketch artist

hello tuesday prep & book repair

Linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday post. If you haven't already checked out her beautiful jewelry & accessories, you need to do it now. For serious.

Happy Monday!

Hello Monday

hello aunt normie's buffalo check fabric rosettes

hello cuddle time

hello graffiti artist

hello mommy naptime (with bonus toys)

hello shortened nap due to phone ringing pedicure

beautiful big girl home from school

hello more graffiti

hello daddy

hello grilled tacos

hello baseball

 Fun way to document the little things in my Monday after 10 days of icky sickness....Linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday post.

Creative Mind Combustion

I have been sick. Like fever having, cold chills shivering, hallucination inducing, crying for my mama, sick. For a week. I spent my entire Labor Day weekend in bed. I journeyed to the kitchen a couple times for pudding & tea, but that's it. Thankfully, my husband & the girls were gone because I think I would've driven them crazy. 

Since I couldn't move for almost 3 full days I laid in the bed & watched a TON of reality shows. From "House Hunters" to "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" to "Married to Jonas" to "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo", I watched it. I was more than horrified at myself for watching most of it, but the remote was just too damn heavy to lift.

The thing that's been the worst is knowing I have a big pile of fabric & nearly completed projects just waiting for me. And it's making me crazy. I mean, LOOK it this!!!!

In between cussing out potential home buyers & learning how to "redneckcognize", my creative mind kept plotting. I have lists & sketches. Time to get to work, ya'll.

Blessings

Last night I had the honor of sharing in a woman's journey from this world into the next. She was surrounded by friends & family, all sharing with her words of love, hope, & strength. It was one of the most difficult, yet most beautiful experiences I've ever had. I am so thankful to her family, especially her beautiful daughter, for letting me be there with her. I love you, Seefus. 
 
I haven't forgotten our talk; I will keep my promise to you.
Rest peacefully, Lizzy.   

Nobody's Perfect

Now that my chicken rant is over (but not forgotten, I assure you), let's get back to some serious business....

80's hair bands. I love them.

"I'm real sorry 'bout the shape I'm in, I just LIGHT MY PHONE every now & then." 

You guys, I am not even joking. I honest to CC Deville thought that's what Bret Michaels was saying UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO. 

He does not say that.

On Why I Won't Appreciate Chick-fil-A Today; AKA, The Chicken Rant

Former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has deemed today Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. He has invited people to "eat more chik'in" & support the company's right to free speech. In case you've been living under a rock recently, I'll give you a brief overview: CEO of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy, was recently questioned about the company's support of the "traditional family". He replied "guilty as charged", then went on to state: "We are very much supportive of the family --- the biblical definition of the family unit...."

Then everyone in the entire world went apeshit. 

Some are angered the company allegedly supports the anti-gay agenda, while others are complaining the liberals & gays are just too dang sensitive. In the wake of Mr. Cathy's statements, the company posted this press release:

"Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business.

The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect –regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.

Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

As we all know, opinions are like assholes....& here's mine:


The first, & perhaps most obvious, reason I will not be a patron of Chick-fil-A today is because I do not eat meat. OK, OK, seafood on occasion, but I pay for it later. Easy enough; no expansion needed. Right? Right. Moving on....

I will not be visiting Chick-fil-A today because I am a fatass. I do not need some sunglasses clad cow enticing me to eat waffle fries (although, admittedly delicious waffle fries) when I can pack on the pounds at home for free.  Which I need to stop doing, but I digress.


I appreciate Dan Cathy for standing by his convictions & love that we live in a country where he is free to do so. However, I am saddened that his company's WinShape Foundation has chosen to give money to organizations that so blatantly work to deny a specific group of people rights & equalities. According to the Christian Post Chick-fil-A has given monies to organizations such as the Family Research Council, The Family Foundation, & Exodus International. I did a bit of research on each organization; I was, at times, appalled at what I found. 

According to the Frequently Asked Questions page on their website, the Family Research Council believes our nation is  "seriously threatened by the legalization of same-sex "marriage", this is our current priority when it comes to public policy about marriage." FRC also has advice & resources for you to fight against LGBT groups in your child's school, as well as referrals & information on what to do if you find yourself struggling with same-sex attraction. Hey, LGBT friends, apparently there are ways to help cure our wrongness AND stifle young people's identities! *insert GIGANTIC eyeroll here*

Over in Virginia, The Family Foundation believes marriage is "a lifelong union between one man and one woman, an institution of God and a foundation for civil society." The Family Foundation also has initiatives in place to oppose domestic partner benefits. According to their website, homosexual advocates have already worked to diminish the status of marriage by working to provide marriage benefits to every relationship. Really? At a fifty percent divorce rate do you honestly think anyone wants that "status"? 

The most confusing website I visited was that of Exodus International. This organization has a program called "Love Won Out". Attending one of these seminars will help you better understand how to love your homosexual child without compromising your faith. You will also learn the steps to follow down the "difficult path" that will help you overcome your unwanted homosexuality. You will even hear from people who have reformed their gay lives & are currently living the heterosexual dream (my words). I wholeheartedly disagree anyone can "ungay" themselves any more than I can make myself not like "MmmBop" by Hanson. It's in my heart; I just can't help it. The confounding part of Exodus International is their Policy Statements. Their position is everyone, "....regardless of sexual orientation, is of inestimable and equal worth to God." They even state they will stand by the LGBT community in times of violence & will not support any legislation that deprives people of life & dignity. And yet, Exodus International's Mission is "To mobilize the Body of Christ to minister grace and truth to a world impacted by homosexuality." Testimonials on the website tell of parents' heartbreak at their children's homosexuality, but with the help of Exodus International they're able to understand all they can do is pray for God to reform their children's hearts. The Exodus International website seems, to me, to be fraught with contradictions. God loves you, but the homosexual lifestyle you lead goes against His graces.

I will not go to Chick-fil-A today, or any other day in the foreseeable future. Not because I don't believe in freedom of speech, "traditional" marriage, or delicious waffle fries & sweet tea. I am not going to Chick-fil-A because I cannot bear the thought of my family's money being used to promote exclusion, discrimination, or the denial of anyone's right to marry the person they love. 

To quote a person I will one day sing backup for: "Eat, drink, & be merry, for tomorrow we'll die." And, hopefully, the places in which you choose to do these things promote love & equality. 


End Chicken Rant.

 

 

Hello, Monday

So, I was going to weigh in on the Chick-Fil-A nonsense....But I am not feeling particularly insightful today; my strongly worded opinion, which will no doubt offend some, will have to wait until my brain can function on a productive level.

Instead I am doing something light & fun: I am linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday posting. Go check out her amazing hand stamped jewelry, accessories, & home decor. I love her work! 

My pictures for this Hello Monday's post are recent, random images from my phone. I am constantly driving my children crazy by shoving a camera in their faces. I love it.

Hello, DMB show night 2

 

Hello, Mama & big girl

Hello, searching for dragons

Hello, searching for GaGa & PooPoo

Hello, Lorax trees (aka, thistles)

                      

Hello, snacks & amazing fireworks show

Hello, vacation hangover at Aunt Helen's

Hello, rock stars & messy living room

Hello, sidewalk chalk paint

Hello, napping babies

 Hello, Bob the Builders

Chicken ranting will happen another day....

A Part of Me

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'

Aaron Copland (1900 - 1990)

  

 

 

Many times throughout my life I have been asked "why" I listen to this song or that one, "why" I like this band. I've gotten more than a few raised eyebrows & the occasional look of pitied amusement when I tell people how my husband & I met (college band geeks). The quote above pretty much sums it up for me. Music just is.

Most of my favorite memories revolve around music. My first radio I could listen to any time I wanted. My dad singing with the radio & just staying on one note if he couldn't quite reach the higher ones (sorry, Daddy). My mom sitting on the living room floor playing her flute along with Led Zeppelin records. My grandma & her piano. Family sing alongs. KU Band Camp & the discovery of jazz. My first solo in front of a crowd at Old Settler's. Practically running, while trying to play, on the damn marching field because my legs are so short. Laying on Tom's floor in the dark, listening to whatever composer he put on the stereo. Introducing junior high kids to the wonder of Adagio for Strings. Mary Chapin Carpenter on the radio the first time I told my future husband I loved him. Listening to the boys at Step Sing & anywhere else a few gathered (my personal faves: the pirate song & that Viva song). That sweaty night in Ellis Hall. Ars Musica. Sometimes I will call a friend just to sing her part of a song we love; she always knows it's me. Johnny Hartman singing to my first baby in my belly & her calming to that same voice late at night. Luther Vandross singing to my second baby; she recognized his voice, too. 

 

The most important people in my life have come to me through our shared passion for music. There is nothing quite like   

witnessing someone so immersed in their music they simply forget the rest of the world. Hell, there's nothing like that feeling.

It's heartbreaking when the world loses someone like that; a passionate lover of music....

I believe with every ounce of my heart & soul it is up to us left here on Earth to keep that legacy, that passion, that fire for music alive & burning as bright as possible. 

 

 

 

I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.

George Eliot (1819 - 1880)

Hello Monday

Hello Summer

Hello Backyard Sunset

Hello Chokehold 

Hello T-Ball

Hello Tent Acrobatics

Hello Strawberry Shortcake

Hello Baking Day

Hello Baseball Project

Linking up to Lisa Leonard's Hello Monday posts for the first time. Check out her jewelry & accessories. She is amazing.

I Would Rather

"I would rather be known in life as an honest sinner, than a lying hypocrite...."

Found this on Pinterest a while back & just stumbled upon it again tonight. Don't know who said it, but it's true. If you're going to do it or say it, own it. Be an honest sinner. If you make mistakes, own them. Own you.

Music

This is why I love music in more ways than I can describe.

Did you see his beautiful face light up when the music started? His voice is one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard. 

So, to the makers of music....Thank you. 

Beyond My Comprehension

I'm not even sure how to begin this post. I am infuriated & not exactly positive I can make my statement productively & without the use of my beloved cuss words, but I am going to try....

On Wednesday the Kansas House gave its approval to a bill called the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act. You can read more here & here.


In a sad, backwards, & bigoted nutshell this bill would allow business owners, churches, landlords, etc. to use their religious beliefs as an out (ironic, no?) to exclude people because of their sexual orientation. In other words, if your employer discovers you are a lesbian he can fire you because your lifestyle goes against his or her religious beliefs. If you rent your home you can be evicted not for your loud music or your illegal pet tiger, but simply because your landlord's religion disagrees with whom you share your bed. I believe cottage cheese is disgusting & I disagree with skinny jeans. But that doesn't mean I can discriminate against those of you who eat cottage cheese &/or wear skinny jeans. That would be dumb.


And this bill, should it pass the Kansas Senate, will allow for such behavior, citing religious freedom. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM. The Jesus, Buddha, or whatever you want to call her I know doesn't care what you look like, how you dress, or who you lay down with at night. Not that sex should be a designated nighttime activity, but you get my point.

My question is this: Where does it end? If we, as a State & Nation, allow for this kind of blatant discrimination bigotry what's to stop others from citing "religious freedom" as a way to exclude or deny people based on their skin color, ethnicity, gender, or their own religious beliefs? 

This is a gigantic step in the most ignorant, backward direction. It frightens me that my children are growing up with such disgraceful behavior. And from our government.

I sent this to my Senator stating I oppose this bill & everything it stands for. I encourage you to do the same. 

Truth

Trayvon Martin 

It is 2012. There is absolutely no room for this type of despicable violence in the year 2012. He was a child. A baby gunned down ultimately because someone didn't like the way he looked, what we wore, the color of his skin....

It is 2012. There is absolutely no room for this type of despicable, ignorant, poisonous mentality in the year 2012. 

There just isn't. 

It's disgusting. 

It's stupid. 

It has to stop.

Public Apology to March 5

Dear March 5, 

I mistakenly cursed you in a very harsh manner on Facebook earlier this morning. I would like to right this wrong by internetly apologizing for my egregious error. It's your evil cousin, March 8, that's the real douchebag. 


Sincerely, 
Me


If you have yet to read about my morning's excitement on Facebook, I strongly encourage you to do so. It's been a hoot & a half. 


That being said....BRING IT ON, MARCH 8, NOT MARCH 5TH. BRING. IT. ON.

Gratitude

Earlier I posted a Facebook status about how the children were driving me to be an asshole today. And they were. Screaming at me, each other, & just creating a overabundance of mayhem (way more than usual). 

But they're here. On this Earth with me.

The past month has created within me a barrage of emotions, from joy to empathy to sorrow. The birth of a long prayed for baby. The loss of a long prayed for baby....


I miss my babies born in to Heaven. A lot. And I am so, so, SO insanely, overwhelmingly, shout it from the rooftops grateful for my Karsen Hope & Owynne Faith who are here in my face every day.  I love you so very.


http://www.angeldayrunwalk.com/




 

Ridiculosity

Dear Universe, 

Thank you for having a sense of humor. Sometimes I don't appreciate your dry wit, cruel irony, or your innate ability to make a situation even more ridiculous. But most of the time I find you to be highly entertaining. 

Love, 
Me
 

Exhale....

It's time to "Exhale"....You will be sincerely missed, Ms. Houston.

 

That is All Sunday

February Fun....

While wasting time doing research on the internets (I am positive this is what my Papa Donnie would call it) I stopped by one of my favorite blogs, Joy's Hope. After my own history with babies, I especially admire Julie for sharing her story & courage with the world. Her posts are funny, enlightening, real, & inspiring. The inspiring part is what brings me to today....

  
This photo challenge may be a bit difficult to do as our camera has magically decided to crap out on us. But I will do my best with my little iPod Touch camera & see what I can come up with. Maybe even a new camera will show up before the end of February. *ahem*



You should play, too. It's fun.

Singing Sunday

 I don't like you, but I love you

 This has been in my head for almost 3 full days. You're welcome.

Etta James, 1938-2012

Today the world is a little more bleak, the heavens shine a little brighter, as we celebrate the life of Etta James, born Jamesetta Hawkins. 

Ms. James, 

You fully, unselfishly revealed to me the awe-inspiring power & beauty of one's voice. In just a few short bars you light a fire within, make my heart ache, bring me to my knees, & then make me stand tall once more. 

Thank you....

Content of Character

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

How beautiful a world it will be when we can all be judged by the content of our character....

Thank You, Sunday

Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.

Martin Luther King Jr.

24 hours

* Debate 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame prospects, steroids, & gambling. 


* Watch "Moneyball". Love it.

* Turn up burner too high & burn oil in Whirly Popper.


* Cut hole in popcorn bag to fill up container, only to realize another has been ripped & kernels are falling out all over the counter, floor, stove.

* It takes two adult Schumakers & three containers to wrangle all the popcorn kernels.

* Oil is so hot it burns half the kernels, rather than popping them.

* Bowl of popcorn just magically falls off the arm of the chair all over my lap, the chair, & new carpet. 

* There is some type of hole in my lip that causes me to drool my alcohol all down my sweatshirt, rather than down my throat. 

* F-ing popcorn falls out of the bowl again.

* Gigantic nose zit gets even bigger & redder. In the morning, the bigger child says, "Mom, what's wrong with your nose? Do you need a bandaid?" Smaller child says, "Mama, you got owie? Aww, poor Mama."

* Run dishwasher.


* New flooring gets christened with dog barf. A lot of dog barf.

* Bigger child takes, literally, two steps outside the garage & falls on the driveway in the snow. Twice. "I'm ok, I'm ok." she says. 

* Nice, long phone conversation with my friend, Michelle. 

* Dog barf again.

* Rearrange kitchen cabinets. Move serving bowls & platter seven times before settling on a spot that will do for now.

* New carpet stairs get christened with dog barf.

* Smaller child states she wants "noo-duhs & cookies" for "yunch". Done & Done. 

* Trip over multiple tiaras & princess shoes in the kitchen.

* "MOMIWANTSTAWBEHYEEJUICEINNAMYCUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!!!!!!!!!"

* "MOMIWANHEEYUHGEORGIATHONGNOW!!!!!!!!!!!"

* "MMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!"

* Read "Smile For Elmo" & rock the smaller child.

* Take a shower without interruption.

* Freak out because dog has refused  to drink water & has been sleeping excessively.

* Call vet & make early evening appointment. 

* Drive to pick up bigger child from school with a plastic high heeled clad toddler in tow.

* Make hot chocolate for snack. Become a hero.

* Help with homework, but not with sentence writing because she does not *need* it.


* Take puppy to vet. Spend some bucks for a shot, some amoxil, & advice that if she isn't better by Saturday to bring her in for bloodwork.

* Make kickass dinner that no one is nearky as excited about as me. Happy for leftover clementine salsa for the next 24 hours. 

* Receive play by play of two bowling games from bigger child.  


* "MAMAGIMMIEDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP!!!!!!!!!!"

* Smaller child gets angry because there is no more dip & throws plate across the table & onto the floor.

* Clean kitchen. Set dishwasher to run in three hours. For the second time. 

* Listen to bigger child read "That's Not My Reindeer" for bedtime book. Cuddle in rocking chair with bigger & smaller. 

* Hear a clink, clink, bonk sound & then "I spilled my beer." New living room carpet has been christened. 

* Write blog post about the last 24 hours. 

Sunday Creativity

So you see, imagination needs moodling - long, inefficient, happy idling, dawdling and puttering.

 

Brenda Ueland

 

 

My moodling will have to wait, as I will be holding a pukey, sick baby today. But I encourage you to moodle to your heart's content....

Release, Let Go, Fly

Far too often in 2011 I found myself looking for answers, wondering what went wrong, trying desperately to "fix", looking for a place to house my hurt....When the New Year hit, I looked around & found myself in the same place: Caged. Trapped. Trapped by fear, pain, uncertainty. 


A few days ago I sat down & wrote letters. Letters that explicitly spelled out my pain, hoping to relieve me from it. Some I intended to mail so that others would know my pain, some I thought I would hold on to so I could remember my pain, others I wasn't quite sure what to do with. I kept these letters for 3 days. I read them over & over again. Putting pen to paper released some of my pain, sure. But each time I read my words it bounced right back to me, tenfold. 


On the third day, I received an internal slap in the face. "Remember my pain?" I thought to myself, "Who the fuck wants to hold on to that forever? Do YOU?" I also asked myself if I wanted to be that person: You hurt me so I hurt you back & try to make you just as miserable. I don't want to be that person. I am not that person. I finally, finally understood I was the one allowing the pain to continue by letting it take up residence within me. I knew I wanted to release it. 


I want to share beauty, light, purpose, music, love....


I burned those pages & pages of hurt & anger. And as I placed each page into the flames I said out loud, "I release you. Goodbye." 

Sounds corny as hell, but damn if it didn't work. 

With each page burned, a boulder removed itself from my chest. And as I watched the pages turn to ashes & disappear I realized all those words, the pain & anger, were no longer mine. They. Were. Gone.

And now I am finally free to fly.