Hostile Holidays

'Twas six days before Christmas and all through the Web
The ultimate battle was refusing to ebb.
Happiness and cheer were nowhere to be found
And clicking of computer keys was the only sound.
Each side wishing to be the victor
But the holiday season is about so much more.

As I checked my Facebook feed, I expected to see festive posts.  Friends happily talking about coming home for the holidays, proud parents displaying photos of their children on Santa's lap.  And of course, dogs in adorable Christmas attire.

However, what I saw was a feud as old as time itself.  How should you greet someone during this time of year?  Do you say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays?"  Either way, you are bound to offend someone.

I have found that the people who offer up "Merry Christmas" are typically Christians. They choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus, God's one and only son, on Christmas day.  So, in saying this phrase, they are keeping Christ in Christmas because He is the reason for the season. 

People who choose to say "Happy Holidays" may or may not be Christian.  This phrase encompasses all the holidays that occur during this time (Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc.) and has no religious connotation.

So, the M.C.ers tend to automatically assume that when greeted with the "Happy Holidays" phrase, that the greeter is a non-Christian.  And their devotion to the Lord makes them feel that these well-wishers are trying to take Christ out of the Christmas season/celebration.

The H.H. ers do not like the M.C. ers because they feel that these people are trying to force their religious beliefs upon others.  They may or may not believe in Christ and by echoing "Merry Christmas" back, might fear they this will be taken as a religious stance.  In addition, the H.H. ers may not even celebrate Christmas.  They may partake of Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, so the phrase "Merry Christmas" truly means nothing to them (although I believe the sentiment is understood by all).

I am a Christian.  I have been my entire life.  And my birthday is on Christmas day, too.  That being said, I honestly take no offense how I am greeted at this time of year.  The purpose of all of the holidays that occur during the month of December is to spread love, peace and happiness.  Each holiday involves people coming together with their friends and family to celebrate a holiday that is important to him/her.

As Christians, we need to avoid being overly sensitive when the vast majority of H.H. ers do not mean any ill will towards us or our beliefs.  By the same token, H.H. ers need to understand that not everyone who says "Merry Christmas" is trying to make a religious statement.  If I really wanted to force my views on others, I would say, "Happy Birth of Our Lord and Savior!"

Plus, has anyone looked at a calendar recently?  What does it say on December 25th?  It says "Christmas Day."  Just like how December 26th says "Kwanzaa begins."  I do not get offended by seeing these holidays listed.  While some of these days have no significance to me, they do to others.  And I respect the fact that not everyone has the same ideas and beliefs that I do.  The world would be a pretty boring place if they did.

As Christmas continues to draw near, I would like to invite the entire world to set aside its quarreling.  Focus on what truly matters:  spending time with loved ones. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope that you find peace, joy and comfort.  Merry Holidays and Happy Christmas!

Guilty Giving

Christmas is just around the corner.  There are parties to attend, presents to be wrapped and large holiday meals to consume.

Most importantly, this is the season of giving.  However, it seems that literally everyone wants you to give something to some one/cause.  Please do not misunderstand me.  I love to give, but, what happens when you feel forced to give?

The place where I work is hosting a Christmas party at the end of the week.  Everyone is supposed to bring in a delicious dish to share.  Then, a white elephant gift was requested.  And now, we are expected to bring in gifts to give to the student workers.

Much like the anti-drug campaigns in the early 90's, the phrase "Just say no," comes to mind.  But, I learned quickly that you do not want to be that person.  Case in point, I overheard a group of my co-workers talking about who brought in items for the student workers vs. who did not.

"They can just go to the dollar store and pick something up," said one co-worker.

Here again, we, as humans, are in the terrible habit of assuming that people have money to spare.  While I do not come to work with holes in my clothes and am lucky enough to not have to take the bus to work, my husband and I don't often have "spare" money.  Especially, not after purchasing Christmas gifts for the members of our families.  You cannot tell a person's financial situation simply by looking at him/her.

*Ironically enough, this person ALWAYS takes off the day of the office Christmas party.  Could it be because this person does not want to spend money on food for everyone?  Hmmm.....

And why do we judge people for not giving during this time of year?  Just because someone chooses not to give to your specific cause does not mean that the person does not give in general.  In fact, I have given money to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Pancreatic Cancer Network, the American Diabetes Association and the Missouri Humane Society.  My husband and I also sponsor a child in Sri Lanka through World Vision.  And I love to give to the Salvation Army bell ringers.

I give to these causes because they have special and personal meanings.  My grandma has Mantel Cell Lymphoma.  A dearly departed friend of mine suffered from pancreatic cancer.  My father has Type II Diabetes.  And I own 5 dogs and a cat.  It's safe to say that I love animals.

We chose to sponsor a child because we were inspired while attending a Christian concert. Our donation helps to provide much needed education as well as sanitary supplies and food.  Plus, we love to receive letters and photos from "our" girl.

Giving is supposed to be a voluntary action.  One should not feel coerced or forced into doing so.  People should give because their heart tells them to.

I hate to admit that I have succumbed to peer pressure.  On my way home, I did stop at the local dollar store.  And in doing so, I have spent some of the money that is supposed to be used for our mortgage.

So, remember the real reason for the season.  God gave us the ultimate gift, his son, Jesus, because "he so loved the world."  And that is the true meaning of the word "giving."

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Princess Paradigm

*SPOILER ALERT!  PLOT OF DISNEY’S “FROZEN” WILL BE REVEALED!*

 

For years, Disney has perfected the princess formula.  The princess seems to always find herself in trouble.  Then, she is rescued by the handsome prince.  Upon being saved, she is whisked away to the prince’s castle where they wed because on the 20 minute horse ride, they managed to fall deeply in love.

 

As predictable as these plots are, I still love them.  Disney always manages to give the classic fairytale story a unique twist.  But, I must admit, I am ready for a change.

 

This change came in the form of Disney’s latest film, “Frozen.”  I knew that the movie was sure to be good because it was created by the same team that worked on “Tangled” (another one of my favorites).  But, I had no idea that it would be….EPIC!

 

First, instead of the isolated “only child” princess, we are taken into the lives of two princesses.  Sisters Anna and Elsa live in a beautiful castle in a Nordic kingdom.  When young, they enjoy playing together.  But, Elsa was born with magical powers in which she can make things freeze.

During a particularly energetic bout of playing, Elsa accidentally hits Anna in the head with her ice powers, freezing her mind.  Anna is rushed to a clearing filled with magical trolls that manage to save her.  However, her memories of Elsa's magic are erased.  Fearing the near death of her sister, Elsa takes to hiding in her bedroom where her parents teach her to "conceal, don't feel."

As the sisters age, Anna cannot understand why Elsa wants nothing to do with her.  But, Elsa is soon forced from her hermit like ways when the girls parents die in a sea faring accident.  Elsa must be crowned queen...in front of the entire kingdom.

The gates of the kingdom have been locked tight since Elsa's incident with Anna.  Now, Elsa will have to try to keep her powers in check long enough for the coronation ceremony and ball.  Anna, on the other hand, is thrilled that she will actually get to interact with the townspeople.  She even hopes to fall in love.

With the party in full swing, Anna manages to find "the one."  But, when she asks Elsa for her blessing for the quickie marriage, Elsa turns her down.  Anna is crushed and tired of her sister always shutting her out.  She no longer wishes to live a cloistered life.  So, Anna pushes Elsa for answers to her many unanswered questions.

As Anna pulls on Elsa's hand, begging her to stay and not cancel the party, she inadvertently removes one of Elsa's gloves.  Upset that Anna is creating a scene, Elsa releases some of her magic.  With her darkest secret revealed and accusations that she is a sorceress, she feels she has no choice but to flee.

Anna truly loves Elsa and decides to go after her.  After leaving her fiance in charge of the kingdom, she heads out into the blizzard that Elsa has created.  Along the way, she meets Christoph and his reindeer, Sven.

Together, they manage to find Elsa.  However, convincing her to come back and thaw the kingdom will prove to be a less than easy task.  Elsa's fury gets the better of her and she hits Anna in the heart with her magic.

Meanwhile, Anna's fiance decides that Anna is in danger when her horse returns to the kingdom riderless.  He gathers troops and begins to search for her...and Elsa.

Anna begins to feel strange while plotting her next scheme with Christoph.  He recognizes that she has been infected with Elsa's magic and rushes her to his adoptive family, the trolls.  The king troll informs them that the only way to thaw Anna's freezing heart is with an act of true love.  He immediately sends Anna back to the kingdom to find her fiance so that she can receive true love's kiss, ending the spell.

In the tussle at Elsa's ice castle, she gets captured.  She is taken back to the kingdom where she is imprisoned and will be executed for the death of Anna.  Unbeknownst to Elsa, Anna's fiance does not love her and is hoping that she will die so that he can claim they said their wedding vows, making him the ruler of Elsa's kingdom.

Sven does not want to go back to the troll family with Christoph.  He knows that Christoph is Anna's true love and manages to persuade him to go back to the castle.

As Christoph races to save Anna, the evil prince (Anna’s ex-fiancé) is preparing to kill Elsa.  With Anna almost completely frozen, she had the ultimate choice to make:  kiss Christoph and be healed or save the sister that has always shunned her.

 

In a stunningly breathtaking performance, Anna chooses to save Elsa.  Christoph arrives in time to see Anna turn into solid ice.  You would think that he would try to kiss the statue in order to break the spell.  Or that Elsa’s tears would melt the ice.  But, in Disney’s most shocking conclusion yet, Anna manages to save herself!  The extreme love she showed for Elsa by sacrificing herself is considered true love and breaks the spell!

 

Finally, Disney has expanded its mindset to acknowledge other forms of love.  For decades, it has been the typical princess/prince routine.  This could tend to send the message that true love can only be felt in these romantic type relationships.  However, sisterly (or familial) love has taken center stage.  And I, for one, am thrilled! 

 

Disney began to step out of its box with the release of “Brave,” in which Merida’s mother saves her from being eaten by a bear.  The mother/daughter bond was beautifully portrayed.  I am hoping that Disney will continue to explore other relationships, such as father/son, best friends, grandmother/father with grandchildren.

 

I also loved the idea that Anna was able to save herself by…being herself.  She had always loved Elsa, even when it wasn’t easy.  Anna had every reason in the world to choose Christof and be happy for once in her life.  But, she loves her sister more. 

 

The final aspect of the film that I love is the fact that these princesses can take care of themselves.  Elsa needed no help in creating the amazing ice castle.  And Anna certainly didn’t need any assistance when dealing with her sister (aside from getting to the top of the mountain).  

These ladies will definitely not be depending on any prince!  They show young girls that you do not need to be dependent upon a man (or anyone else, for that matter) to find happiness.  Since the death of their parents, Anna and Elsa have been handling life on their own.  And while they may choose to fall in love, they do not have to be in a relationship to be happy or successful.

 

All in all, “Frozen” is one of Disney’s best films to date.  The powerful messages of inner strength, confidence and family love shine through in every snow covered scene.  With amazing animation and loveable characters, this is one adventure you won’t want to miss.

 

Troublesome Tree

As Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, my mind has begun to drift into thinking about Christmas.  I love decorating the house!  And while we are not quite up to Griswold status, I think we do quite a fair job.

 

One of my favorite holiday memories is that of helping my Grandma put up her Christmas tree.  There was just something so magical about it.  But, I have noticed quite a shift within my own family and can’t help but wonder if others are experiencing the same thing.

 

The quest for tree perfection has now taken the place of fun, family bonding time.  Complaints can be heard throughout the entire tree set up process.  Groaning as the tree is dragged in from the garage.  Mumbling as the “heavy” tree is lifted from its box.  A few curse words upon plugging the tree in only to find that an entire strand  of lights remains dark.

 

After the lights have been fixed, it is time for the ornaments to be hung.  Instead of being able to hang them anywhere (as I once could), I am now informed, “No, no.  Not there.  Over there.”

 

Did you know that there is a correct way to hang an ornament hook?  Typically, I like to close the end of the hook that holds the ornament by bending it in towards the hook body.  I also like to close the top portion of the hook firmly around the branch on which the ornament is placed.  I have seen too many ornaments slide off of the tree from simply placing the ornament on a branch.

 

This caused quite a commotion.  “What are you doing to the hooks?  How am I supposed to get this off of here?”  Funny, I thought we were focusing on putting UP the tree, not thinking about taking it down.

 

Then, the arguing begins.  Person A does not like how Person B is stringing the lights.  Person B does not like how Person A is hanging the ornaments.  Inevitably, a fight ensues.  I can no longer hear the Christmas music playing.  And I wonder, why does the tree have to be “perfect?”

 

I must admit, I used to be like Person A and B above.  I thought that my tree needed to be put up my way.  Certain ornaments HAD to be placed in specific spots.  Garland MUST be draped in such a way. 

 

Then I realized, it doesn’t matter how the lights are strung or where the ornaments are hung.  It’s about the time you spend with those you love.

 

Bless my wonderful husband for pointing this out to me.  After helping Grandma put up her tree and then my mom put up hers, I was usually so angry and frazzled from the day’s events that putting our own up was a nightmare.  But, Matt then convinced me to put up our tree a bit earlier than my family’s standard tradition.

 

Gritting my teeth, I allowed him to drag the tree in last year.  I was convinced that it wasn’t going to be the same.  And you know what?  It wasn’t.  It was…so much better!

 

Music was blasting, we were dancing, singing and laughing.  And we even stopped to smooch several times when we found a particularly sentimental ornament.  We had  FUN!

 

I found out that it didn’t matter if Winnie-the-Pooh’s honey pot was at the top or bottom of the tree.  Yoda can mingle with Snoopy and Woodstock.  As long as the ornaments I cared about were somewhere on the green monstrosity, I was happy.

 

My idea of the “perfect” Christmas tree has been forever changed.  It no longer needs to look like a photo from a Macy’s catalog.  What matters most is that the tree is dressed with the most important decoration of all:  love.

 

Happy tree trimming!

 

Problems for Penny

Loyal blog readers,

I wanted to let you know that there appears to be an issue with the St. Louis Metro Pet Magazine photo contest.  The links do not appear to be working.  When I tried to view Penny's picture, it states "Out of Subscription."  PLEASE KEEP TRYING TO VOTE!  Head to the Stlmetropet Facebook page and look for Penny's picture.  Then, just click on the "Like" button.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!

Vote for Penny!

A few weeks ago, I saw a flier advertising a pet photo contest for the soon to be released St. Louis Metro Pet Magazine.  Having five dogs, the decision wasn't easy.  In the end, my husband and I decided to enter Penny, our three-legged fur baby.

We know that Penny has an amazing story that deserves to be told.  She is unlike any other dog in the world.  And her spirit is unbelievable!

You can imagine my excitement when I opened an e-mail today stating that Penny's photo has been selected to be a part of the contest!  Now, I need YOUR help.  To vote for Penny, simply click on the following link:  Vote for Penny. 

Please vote for Penny so that she can spread her message of love and acceptance!  We appreciate your support!

Holiday Hustle

Every year, Christmas decorations start appearing earlier and earlier in stores.  This year, I began seeing Christmas trees at Macy’s starting in mid-October!

Don’t get me wrong.  I LOVE Christmas.  It is my favorite holiday (and my birthday, too!).  But, I think that we, as a nation, should slow things down a bit.

Halloween seems to get quite a bit of attention.  Specialty stores, such as the Spirit store and Johnny Brock’s Dungeon, pop up at the end of September in vacant store buildings across the country.  But what happens the day after Halloween?  They sell everything for 50% off in hopes of liquidating their merchandise and then they disappear into the wind.

The next logical step would be to think about Thanksgiving.  However, no one seems to focus on this forgotten holiday.  In fact, many stores are now staying open on Thanksgiving Day.

Why are we neglecting one of the most important American holidays (in my opinion)?  This day is about so much more than just gorging ourselves on delicious food and watching numerous football games.  We are supposed to be remembering the true significance of that day. 

People from two different nationalities came together to help each other survive and thrive.  Instead of fearing those that were different from us, we happily embraced the Indians (especially Squanto) for their vast knowledge of an unfamiliar land.  To pay respect and tribute those that came to the pilgrims’ aid, they set up a great feast in which they praised God for all of the bounties that they had received.

Now, hundreds of years later, we seem to have only one thing on our minds:  shopping.  Yes, that’s right.  We shovel in our food as fast as we can, bundle up our children and extended family members and head out to brave the elements in a shopping exstravaganza!

What does this say about us as Americans?  As we shove our way past other shoppers, trying to beat them to the biggest bargain, we are forgetting about some very important people:  the workers.  Those that we push all of our goodies to on the convayr belt, wishing they would hurry up so we can be our way to the next store.

And heaven forbid if the worker doesn't make small talk.  Did we ever stop to think for a moment that these people are being forced to work and cater to our narsasistic ways instead of being at home with their families?  That would tend to not make me a very friendly person, either.

Everyone deserves time off from work to enjoy the holidays with their family.  That is the point of a holiday, after all.  And to simply say, "They should get another job," is easier said than done thanks to our not-so-spiffy economy.

Once the dust has settled from Black Friday, we charge full speed ahead into Christmas.  But, I fear that we are missing the true point of this holiday, too.

Hassled Ham

Upon earning my Technician Class Amateur Radio License, I was over the moon!  I had secretly studied for weeks.  Then, I surprised my Dad (who has been a ham for over 40 years) with the great news.

He was so excited!  And I am super proud to be a part of this special group of communicators.  So proud, in fact, that I wanted to purchase vanity license plates with my call sign, KC9VZR.

My Dad has had his ham plates for years.  I always loved spotting other fellow "hammers" by way of their license plates.  One time, my Dad even called one of the hams on the air because we were right behind him on the highway!  I thought that was the neatest thing (even with the invention of the cell phone).

That is when the trouble began.  I went to the State of Illinois website to see what I needed to do to procure my plates.  There was a form that I had to fill out along with a check for a nominal fee.  I happily completed the form and wrote the check.  My ham plates would be arriving soon!

In two weeks, I received a rather full envelope from the state informing me that I neglected to fill out a box on the form.  So, I filled out the box and sent everything back.  Then, I waited.

Two weeks later, I received the envelope yet again stating that the address that I provided does not match what "they" have in their system.  Begrudgingly, I took the entire packet to the credit union that was handling my car loan.  An associate informed me that since I got married, I needed to change my name and address on the car title...to the tune of $113!

What?!  I decided that I would need to change the information eventually, so, I changed it.  I then sent the information off again.

Sure enough, two weeks later, I received the envelope AGAIN.  Now, the state wanted a copy of my marriage license to prove that I was actually married.  To me, this took the cake.  I was tired of having to prove that I am who I say I am.

Let's face it:  why in the world would a criminal try to purchase ham license plates?  And with my specific call sign?  What does KC9VZR mean to a non-ham?  Absolutely nothing.

What really rankles me is the fact that my fellow male hams do not have to go through such trials and tribulations to procure their license plates.  Why is the state making it so difficult for female hams?  We deserve the right to proudly display our call signs on our vehicles.

I have not yet sent the packet back again (for the fourth time).  Don't get me wrong, I most definitely want my ham plates.  However, I am very frustrated that this entire process has been so difficult (and costly).

On the bright side, I just made my final car loan payment today.  In three weeks, I should have the official title.  Perhaps then, I will be able to secure my coveted plates.

Coveted Car

I woke up before my alarm clock started beeping.  Tossing and turning, I attempted to fall back to sleep.  But, I was too excited.  I felt like a kid on Christmas morning.

 

Today is a very special day.  Why?  It is the day that I am making the final payment on my car loan!

 

To be honest, I never thought that this day would come.  It always seemed so far away.  And now that the day has arrived, I can hardly believe it.

 

Way back in 2008, the wonderful Ford Taurus that my Grandmother had given me breathed its last.  My parents spent so much money trying to keep it alive.  But, they finally looked at me and said, “You need a new car.”

 

Silly me, I thought that meant that they were going to buy one for me.  See how spoiled I am?  You can imagine the shock and huge reality check that I received when I began signing the paperwork stating that I would be the sole person paying for this new vehicle.

 

And, being the young, naive individual that I was, I happily told the dealership that I wanted to make the largest monthly payment that they had.  Stupid me!  In my mind, I figured that I could pay the car off faster that way instead of dragging it out over the course of 15 or so years.

 

Soon after purchasing the car, I got married.  And I’ll admit, times were tough.  My brilliant idea was not very helpful in the short term.  We often lived paycheck to paycheck.

 

But, I can proudly say that I NEVER had to ask anyone for assistance.  My husband and I tightened our belts, dug our heels in and kept looking forward to November 13, 2013.

 

Looking back, I would probably do the exact same thing.  As my husband recently pointed out, I am actually coming out ahead in terms of interest.  And I love knowing that the car is now officially mine.

 

I won’t say that this is my first “grown-up” life lesson, but, it certainly is an important one.  I worked hard at diligently paying off my car, even if it meant skipping going to the movies or avoiding the mall altogether.  And that, Charlie Brown, is what being a grown-up is all about.

 

Sometimes, you have to give up doing the fun stuff in order to focus on the important stuff, like paying bills, purchasing groceries, etc.  Unlike credit card debt (which we won’t get into), I will actually be using what I paid for every day.  And it feels a bit different now when I step into my 2009 Chevy Cobalt.  Every time I turn the key, I keep thinking, “I own this car!”

 

What an amazing feeling!  This just goes to show that you truly can achieve any goal, no matter how difficult (or impossible) it may seem.

 

Ruined Reunion

My 10 year high school reunion is coming up at the end of this month.  And as dorky as it may sound, I have been looking forward to it for quite some time.  Catching up with friends, dancing (making a few ex-boyfriends jealous).

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received an invitation via Facebook.  It appeared that the reunion would take place on two days: an event on a Friday evening and an event on Saturday afternoon.  My mom explained that there is usually some type of a picnic on one day and a semi-formal dance on the other.

I couldn't wait to go dress shopping!  Images of me and my husband sashaying around a dance floor filled my head.  But, then I read a Facebook post from one of my fellow classmates.  This person stated that she wasn't going to "waste $20 to go to a bonfire."

A bonfire?  As in sitting outside and cooking hot dogs?  For a reunion?

I contacted another fellow classmate to try to solve the mystery.  Unfortunately, she was just as clueless as I was.  A few days later, I received another Facebook message from the person coordinating the reunion.  She wanted to know who was going to be participating in the chili cook off.

What?  We've gone from a bonfire to a chili cook off?  I have never heard of having such an event at a reunion.  I politely responded that I would not be partaking in the cook off.  Then, someone asked if anyone was bringing buttered noodles.

Let me get this straight.  The coordinator wants $20 a person and we have to bring food?  While not thrilled with the idea of a potluck, I thought it could still be fun.

However, the final invitation crushed all of my reunion fantasies.  The event will be one day only, feature a chili cook-off, bonfire and hayride.  A dance floor will also be available.  The cost is still $20 a person (jumping to a whopping $30 after November 8th) and you have to bring your own drinks (this includes soda).

My husband voiced what I had been thinking, but too afraid to say, "That doesn't sound like it's worth $40.  Maybe we shouldn't go."

Not go to my 10 year reunion?  I remember watching episodes of "Full House" and "Family Matters" where Jesse and Carl went to their high school reunions.  They got dressed up, met up with friends, and had a great time.  I guess basing my idea of what the perfect reunion should be upon a few television shows wasn't such a good idea.

But, I had to agree with my husband.  I simply cannot justify spending $40 to go sit outside somewhere and hope that the people who liked me in high school show up and want to converse.  And by the time you purchase the ingredients to make a side dish and your own drinks, we estimated the cost to be about $60 dollars.  I can think of a lot better ways to spend that money.

I was intrigued to see a message from the coordinator stating that people needed to RSVP and pay soon, otherwise, the reunion may be cancelled!  And I can't say that I am surprised.  I am sure that I am not the only one that feels like this reunion isn't what it should be.

Knowing this person, I know that she thinks she always knows what's best.  She is always right, no matter what.  But, I think that she should have come up with about five different ideas and let her fellow classmates decide by means of a vote.  Instead, she charged ahead with what she thought people would like and is now finding out that not many are interested.

The town that we come from is very small and has the reputation for being "hickish."  And I can't help but feel like the reunion is holding true to that stigma.  We sound like a bunch of country bumpkins trying to throw a hoedown.  Why couldn't we have gone for something a bit more sophisticated and grown up?  Hayrides and bonfires, while fun, sounds a lot like the things we did as high schoolers.

Sadly, I have decided to skip the reunion.  For my fellow classmates' sake, I hope that the event is not cancelled.  Perhaps someone will think of me when they roast a weenie.  Good luck, class of 2003! 

Disasterous Diabetes

The day that *Zack was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, he thought his life was over.  Even his doctor was surprised by the test results.  Zack is not your "typical" diabetic.

He is a very tall and slender man.  And he has never smoked or touched alcohol.  So, why was this happening to him?

Zack has always had one huge problem:  an addiction to sweets.  Even when told that dinner would be in five minutes, he would still insist on having four Keebler elf cookies.  Then, he would eat every morsel of food on his plate and follow it with four more elves.  Not to mention that the dinners he was frequently consuming were often covered in layers of cheese and loaded with carbs. 

As soon as Zack told me the news, I raced to his house for an intervention.  I quickly discarded every sweet in the house (much to the happiness of my co-workers).  He stood sullenly in the corner of the kitchen.

"Well," he sighed.  "There's only one thing left to do."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I'm going to sue those elves," he joked.

But, his humor didn't last long.  For some strange reason, Zack felt like an anomaly.  He just knew that he was the only person in the world with diabetes.

I quickly looked to my other best friend, Google, for some answers.  And I was certainly amazed at what I found.  There is actually a website devoted to famous people that have/had diabetes (http://diabeteshealth.com/read/2008/12/17/5681/famous-people-with-diabetes/)!

From actors and scientists, to musicians and pro-athletes.  Needless to say, I went through quite a bit of paper and ink.

I proudly thrust my pile of new found knowledge in Zack's hands.  He glumly accepted my findings and I left him alone to reflect.  It wasn't long before I received a call that went something like this:

"Lauren, guess who had diabetes?"

"Who?"

"Thomas Edison!"

He was finally realizing that he wasn't alone at all.  In fact, he was in good company.

I soon found out about the Step Out Walk hosted by the American Diabetes Association.  I thought that this would be a great event for Zack to go to.  Reading about people having the same disease as you is not the same as seeing a huge group of sympathizers in person.

But, wouldn't you know, Zack wasn't comfortable with telling people about his diabetes. In fact, he wanted to keep it a secret.  This made me incredibly sad.  Zack felt like there was something "wrong" with him.  Like he wasn't the same person any more.  Like he was "diseased."

Why was Zack trying to live the life of a leper?  I pointed out to him that I have hand eczema, which is considered a disease.  But, I don't refuse to leave the house during the winter months (when it tends to flair up).

Having a disease doesn't mean that you are the disease.  And you certainly are not defined by it, either.  You are still the exact same wonderful person that God made you to be.

Zack's tendency was to then focus on all of the things that he couldn't eat any more.  He was choosing to define his life by food.  And there is way more to Zack than just his impressive appetite.

After many talks with family and friends, he decided to begin eating healthy.  And guess what he discovered?  He could still go out to eat!  Many restaurants are now offering low carb options that are super delicious and good for you.  Plus, he rediscovered an old favorite:  salads.

While Zack hasn't fully cleared the hurdle of Acceptance, he has begun to jog into Tolerance.  He has even started wearing a medical alert necklace (under his shirt, of course).  Try as he may, he will never be able to hide one thing:  his true strength.




*name changed

[Photos] Children share their dreams

These children are truly inspirational!  I love World Vision!

[Photos] Children share their dreams

Hoarding Hallmark

I love ornaments!  Makes sense seeing as my birthday is on Christmas day.  My husband and I also love Snoopy.  We were totally excited when Hallmark announced the Snoopy all Year Round ornament series.

Every month, a new themed ornament will be released.  You can buy the ornament holder, which is Snoopy's dog house with the word "Happiness Is..." and comes with 12 interchangeable backgrounds to match the ornaments.

We already have Pigpen, Lucy and Linus.  My husband actually went in to Hallmark to purchase Linus (one of my favorites!).  One of the workers asked him if my name was on "the list."  He said, "She is a member of the ornament club.  I have her card."  The lady said, "Oh, I'm sure she's on the list," and allowed him to purchase the ornament.

I thought this was very odd.  I had never been told about any "list."  Plus, I receive e-mails from Hallmark when a new ornament in the series is about to be released.

I had just received one such e-mail last Thursday.  It stated that the newest ornament (Snoopy and Woodstock dressed in pilgrim attire) would be available after next Tuesday.  So, we eagerly awaited my husband's pay check and headed to Hallmark on Wednesday night.  We were told that they had not yet received the shipment, but, that it should come in on Thursday.

So, after I got off of work today, I headed back to Hallmark.  When I arrived, the workers were just putting ornaments out.  They asked if they could help me and I inquired about the Snoopy ornament.  One woman said, "Is your name on the list?"  I said, "I don't think so, but, I am a member of ornament club."  The other female worker offered to check the back storage room.

I asked the "list" woman if I could get my name put on said list.  She said, "Sure!"  She then preceded to tell me that they "receive limited quantities of these ornaments and most of them are already spoken for."

Now, wait a minute!  That is not fair!  These ornaments are available for ANYONE to purchase.  You don't have to be a member of the ornament club or even had a gold crown card.  Yes, they are limited quantity pieces.  However, there was never mention of any "list" that your name had to be one in order to procure the ornaments in any of the official Hallmark newsletter e-mails that I receive.

How can Hallmark legally do this?  They are withholding merchandise from being sold in order to sell the product to "select" customers.  That seems like corporate nepotism to me.

I am very disappointed in the ethics of the Hallmark company.  I am pretty sure that Charles Schultz wanted everyone to be able to enjoy his Peanuts characters, not just the "chosen few."

Partial Patriotism

This was certainly a busy weekend for charity event walkers!  My husband and I attend the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night event on Friday night at Forest Park in St. Louis, MO.  We returned early Sunday morning for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s annual PurpleStride event.

 

My husband noticed something disturbing.  There were lots of teenagers in attendance at Light the Night.  Not that that in and of itself is a bad thing.  However, these teens were talking through the entire national anthem that was being sung during the opening ceremony! 

 

When I was in grade school (back when dinosaurs ruled the earth), we were taught to respect the national anthem and the flag.  You were to stand at attention, place your right hand over your heart to show allegiance to the United States of America and to sing (if you knew the words).

 

Nowadays, you do not see that kind of respect for the national anthem.  People carry on their conversations as if nothing important is happening.  While it may sound corny, I get goose bumps every time I sing it.  Not because I sound like Mariah Carey (which I don’t) but because I understand the meaning behind the song.

 

Our forefathers fought with their lives to give us the freedoms and opportunities that we have today.  They stood up to tyrannous rulers and pushed the issue of independence to the forefront.  Hundreds of years later, we still live in a country that is free and sing the song that was written during the Revolutionary War to remind us of just how lucky we are.

 

What we could truly not comprehend was what took place during the walk.  Two fire trucks were parked on opposite sides of the starting line in which a large American Flag hung on a line strung between the two trucks’ ladders.  It was a very special sight to see.  Apparently, the teens that were talking through the anthem felt the same way.  They stopped during the middle of the walk to take copious pictures of the flag.  Why were they taking pride in the flag but not the national anthem?

 

To me, the flag represents everything that we sing about in the national anthem:  the courage and strength of America and its people; the endurance of the American spirit.  In fact, the song is about the flag.  So, how can you be totally disrespectful to one representation of America but not to another?  I simply cannot fathom it.

 

If you don’t feel the need to sing our nation’s anthem, I will not be offended.  But, please, be silent for those of us that view singing the national anthem as a sign of everlasting freedom and pride for this great nation that we live in.

 

Deceitful Disney

Ever since I was a toddler, I can remember sitting down every Christmas morning to watch the Disney Christmas Parade.  Since my birthday is actually on Christmas day, I foolishly thought that the parade was for me.  Still, I loved watching my favorite Disney characters dance down the streets of Disney World.  And I still do.

 

You can imagine my complete surprise when my mother and father-in-law told me that they want to send me and my husband to Disney World for my 30^th birthday!  I couldn’t believe it!  I would actually get to attend the parade that I have been watching since…forever!  Even though the trip won’t be until next year (2014), I was pumped.

 

My parents are also going to assist with the trip as a part of my Christmas/birthday present as well.  Whoo!  So, my mom quickly got online to try to find us the best deal.  She forwarded me the contact information for the person that she had been speaking with.

 

Quickly, I e-mailed the person to try to book the trip as fast as possible.  I explained that I was really excited to see the big parade live.  Then, the travel agent told me something.  The Christmas day parade isn’t actually on Christmas day.  “Okay,” I thought.  It’s probably a few days before.  That makes sense.  I’m sure all of the stars that perform at the event want to be home with their families on Christmas day.

 

But I was wrong again.  Disney films the parade A MONTH AHEAD OF TIME!  Can you believe it?  All of these years I have been deceived.  How can Disney get away with plastering the word “Live” on the screen when what we are viewing is something from a month prior?

 

So, if I want to attend the parade, I will have to go to Disney World in the middle of November?  That is simply ridiculous!  Why would Disney do something so dastardly?  Plus, how many children will be pulled out of school to go to Disney World to attend the parade?  Not many, I’m sure.

 

My excitement dropped instantly.  I would not get to fulfill one of my life long dreams (and bucket list items) after all.  However, the travel agent pointed out that I can still attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade and that there will be other fun options since I will be coming down for my birthday.  I decided to book the trip anyway.  You only turn 30 once, right?

 

Still, I am very unhappy with the Disney franchise.  This type of deceitful behavior is not something that I would have expected from a family friendly venue. 

 

Little Dog On The Prairie

Janky Jewelry

If you have ever met me, you know that I love jewelry!  Over 90% of my collection is what as referred to as “costume jewelry.”  Translation:  the stones are not real, the “gold” isn’t really gold.  But, I still love it.

 

One of my favorite costume jewelry designers is Betsey Johnson.  I remember the very day I fell in love with her work.  My husband and I were just about to leave the mall when I saw this unusual necklace on the clearance rack.  It was a small zebra in which pearl like stones were used to signify the zebra’s stripes.

 

I had to have it!  That is the piece that started  my Betsey addiction.  She is so creative in the styles that she uses as well as the different stone types.  Plus, she is a HUGE animal lover (like myself).  I was beyond excited when she came out with a complete panda set:  necklace, bracelet and ring.  My mom gave the set to me for Christmas.

 

I couldn’t wait to wear it!  So, I made sure to incorporate these pieces into my “Day After Christmas Shopping Event” outfit.  At the end of the day, I noticed that my shiny white panda ring wasn’t so shiny.  In fact, it somehow had received several black scratches.  How could this have happened?  Is it really possible to damage jewelry by shopping?  That’s not exactly a contact sport.

 

The next Christmas, I received the King Kola necklace and ring.  They are so adorable!  Having just worn them yesterday, I noticed that the king is missing one of the stones in his crown.

 

What gives?  Betsey’s pieces sell for anywhere between $30-85, full price.  Thankfully, I wait until they are put on clearance and get them for as low as $15.  But, still.  I would be one mad person if I had paid $85 just to have my jewelry scuffed and missing stones a few days later.

 

What happened to the quality of Betsey’s products?  Some of my older pieces are in much better shape than my newer ones.  I hope she is not using cheaper materials (or labor) to get the job done faster.

 

A similar situation happened with a ring that I purchased from a Jewels by Park Lane representative.  This ring originally cost $115!  Crazy, right?  Since I hosted a party and earned free merchandise from the purchases of my friends, this ring is one of the first items I snatched up…for free!  As I was admiring it the other day, I noticed that a stone was missing.  Granted, I can have the ring replaced for a $7 shipping fee, but what’s to say that the new ring will not to the same thing?

 

I will end my jewelry rant with one last product:  Lotti Dotties.  This innovative system offers necklaces, bracelets and rings with interchangeable stones.  What is truly amazing is the prices.  The stones are just $5 each and the most expensive necklace is $24.  For our anniversary, my husband bout me a $16 ring and about 5 dotties.  While reading the care instructions, I was bothered by one thing:  “Avoid getting the item wet as it reduces the strength of the magnet.”

 

Does this mean that I will have to take off my ring each time that I use the restroom?  Then the problem becomes, where do I put the ring?  I work at a college and am not exactly very trusting.  One co-worker had her cell phone stolen from leaving it out on her desk!  And the dress pants that I wear daily do not typically have pockets.

 

So, I tried not to worry about it as I had not yet noticed a problem.  Then, on the way to work one day, a woman cut me off.  She ended up being the car in front of me in a long line of traffic.  What truly bothered me was the fact that she was texting and not moving up in the line.  That is when I said, “Oh, come on!” and flung my right hand toward the windshield in an exasperated gesture.

 

That is when I saw something shiny go flying onto the passenger seat.  Sure enough, the new orange stone that my mom gave me was laying in between the bristles of my hair brush.  Needless to say, I kept a vigilant eye on the stone and vowed to never wear it again.

 

I transitioned to wearing my turquoise dottie that I purchased after I received a promotion at work.  The dottie stayed on my ring all day.  I took the ring off to exercise when I got home.  I put the ring on later and continued with my house hold chores, such as laundry.  When my husband got home, I looked at the ring…and the stone was gone!  I believe that it is lost somewhere in the washing machine, if not completely melted.

 

I realize that the jewelry is inexpensive, but does this have to mean that the quality is cheap as well?  We all cannot afford to shop at Tiffany’s.  But, I would like to proudly wear the jewelry that I can afford.  Not hide it away in a drawer because of missing stones and scuffs. 

 

Video Vixens

By now, I'm sure you have at least heard of Miley Cyrus' new music video, "Wrecking Ball."  I'll admit, I had high hopes for the video after hearing the song.  I thought it was a huge step up from "We Can't Stop."  Then, the video happened.

Miley starts off in her underwear (panties and bra) and stomps around the set in what appear to be hiking boots.  She begins to smash down a concrete walls with a hammer.  Okay, so far. 

But, the video takes a turn for the worst when she licks the hammer seductively.  Pretty soon, she is riding a giant wrecking ball, naked.  Granted, you don't see anything.  But, still.

Since the videos release, Miley has gotten nothing by backlash.  While I agree with most of the critics, I would like to play devil's advocate.  What makes this video different from Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" or Justin Timberlake's "Tunnel Vision?"

To recap those videos:  Robin Thicke simply stands in one spot while naked women stomp around in front of him, staring at the camera.  Justin Timberlake appears to be in one room, singing while naked women are feeling themselves up in another room amid strobe lights.  So, the question becomes, what makes these videos "brilliant" and Miley's video "vulgar" and "disturbing?"

While Miley is naked, she does not reveal any of her private parts.  Her arms are strategically placed over her breasts and the wrecking ball covers her lower region.  But, the women in Robin Thicke's and Justin Timberlake's videos are completely naked.  You see the women's breasts and bottoms.

As you know, I disagree with having nudity in music videos (see my Vulgar Videos post).  However, what is disturbing me more now is the fact that there appears to be a double standard in the music video world.  The male singers can have naked women in their videos and they are viewed as "sexy" and "desirable."  But, heaven forbid if a female singer decides to bare all.  Then she becomes "slutty," "immoral" and has "issues."

No one has commented on the mental state of Robin Thicke or Justin Timberlake (although, I think someone should).  Having naked women surround them is just "part of the game."  Really?  I thought the music industry was about just that: music.  I do not care what the music video looks like.  All I care about is that the person can sing.  That is what they are getting paid ridiculous amounts of money to do, right?

So, why is Miley being viewed as the next great mental breakdown likening to Britney Spears?  My opinion is that the world is shocked that this girl was once the sweet, innocent embodiment of Hannah Montana.  Now, she is trying to "run with the big dogs" on the adult side of the industry.  And in 2013 where women want to be able to "have sex like a man," I think that she is personifying that role to a "t."

Let's not forget that Justin Timberlake was once a ruddy faced youth on the New Mickey Mouse Club.  And then the baby faced member of the boy band, *NSYNC.  No one complained about his transition from boyhood to man.  And this was amidst countless tabloid stories of infidelity.  He is being haled as one of the greatest performers of all time.

While I concur that Miley's metamorphosis from childhood star to Madonna wannabe was very sudden, I do not think that she should be labeled for doing something that her male contemporaries are doing.  Perhaps the music world truly has "Tunnel Vision" when it comes to the "Blurred Lines" of what is deemed "appropriate" for female singers versus male singers.  Maybe Miley should take her "Wrecking Ball" to them.

Graceless Greed

Greed is such an ugly word.  Then again, the act of being greedy isn’t very pretty either.  What troubles me the most is how this one simple word can completely change someone’s life, and NOT in a positive way.

 

I had a former co-worker that appeared to have it all.  She was dating a very successful man who proposed to her on a beach at sunset (Sigh!).  The ring he presented her with was HUGE.  You could definitely see if from the moon.  No telescope needed.  Pretty soon, they were building their dream house together.  His parents were even gracious enough to allow them to stay at their house until the project was completed.

 

After I left that job, I later found out that this woman was cheating on her husband…with a fellow co-worker!  Needless to say, she lost her husband, ring and house.  More recently, she just lost her job.  While I do not wish her any ill will and certainly do not want her to be jobless, she brought most of this on herself. 

 

What I cannot fathom is why she did it.  She literally had everything that most girls would have killed for.  But, yet, she wanted more.  Greed has a way of destroying people.

 

I have also noticed that greed can alter someone’s outlook on life.  Someone very close to me was talking about a belated birthday present that she had received from a friend.  The gift was a $15 iTunes card.  While I thought that this was a wonderful gift (music is a staple in my life), this person was greatly displeased.  She felt that the gift “wasn’t her.”  Like her friend put no thought, time or effort into selecting a gift.

 

On the contrary, I know that her friend thought long and hard before purchasing the iTunes card.  She wanted to get the perfect gift.  And she knew how much this woman loved music as she always has her iPod playing in the morning before the start of work.  I thought that the gift was quite fitting.

 

So, why is this woman so ungrateful?  Having attempted to purchase presents for her, I know that this is no easy task.  As the years go by, she gets pickier and pickier about what she wants.  And if the exact item is not given, a look of disdain crosses her face.  Then you know that you have failed at pleasing her.

 

How does greed manage to worm its way into people’s hearts and minds?  Personally, I do not think that TV shows like “Real Housewives” help in keeping this culprit at bay.  We see all of the glamor and glitz that others are enjoying and think that in order to be happy, we need to do and have the same things.

 

When was the last time that you took a good look around you?  I mean really looked at your life and counted your blessings.  My husband and I are certainly not where we thought we would be in life by age 28.  But, we recognize the fact that we are very fortunate, none the less.  We both have jobs, a lovely house, beautiful fur babies and each other.  I would say that our cup runeth over.

 

And on those days when greed attempts to claim me as another victim, I think about our sponsor child in Sri Lanka.  She recently wrote us a letter stating that she had just learned the importance of bathing every day.  This child is only in the third grade and is now discovering how to be healthy.  She lives in a poor country where education is a luxury, not a right.  Running to the local fast food restaurant to grab a quick bite is out of the question because these places do not exist.  Not to mention the fact that her parents are making very little money.

 

Yet, in the picture she sent us, she is grinning from ear to ear as she happily waters one of her family’s crops.  This little girl has nothing.  Still, she acts as though she has everything.

 

In the words of the Sidewalk Prophets, “I wanna live like that.”  Not poor in a third world country, but, happy and thankful for the things and people that I have in my life.  To be appreciative every day for the love and beauty that surrounds me.

 

So the next time that greed tries to rear its ugly head at me, I will look it dead in the eye and say, “No, thank you.  I have everything that I could ever need.”

Atrocious Attire

Many work places are adopting a more relaxed dress code policy.  However, this does not always yield positive results.

 

Case in point:  many of my former co-workers wore jeans every day.  Some even wore t-shirts with sayings such as “Go Cards!” on the front.  Did they forget that we work at a college?  How will people be able to tell the difference between students and staff?

 

More recently, I noticed that someone wore shorts, yes, shorts, in the office!  We are not at the beach, people!  This is a professional environment and needs to be treated as such.

 

And then there are some other disturbing trends.  One that comes to mind is the tank top with bra straps showing.  Seriously?  First of all, how can this possibly be comfortable?  Second, ladies, your underwear is showing.  Not very classy.

 

Men are no exception.  For some reason, many cannot seem to find pants that fit.  I cannot tell you how many people I have seen waddling around with their pants around their knees.  How do they ever get to class on time?

 

My parents always taught me the importance of dressing professionally daily.  My mom is a teacher.  Can you imagine what would happen if she showed up in a tube top and short shorts?  My dad works for the Illinois State Police.  How would he be able to install all of the necessary equipment in a trooper’s car if his pants were pulled down?  We expect certain people to dress a certain way.  But, when it comes to how we look, we tend to not even try.

 

I will never under any circumstances understand the “pajamas as clothes” idea.  They are called “pajamas” for a reason.  This type of clothing is meant to be slept in, not attend school, go shopping or see a movie in.

 

One of my previous employers was very militant about the dress code.  Professional attire had to be worn at all times.  You could not have dress pants that looked like jeans.  You could not have any bedazzlements on your pants.  Your tops were not to have any pictures or sayings.  This includes the tiny logo of some designers, such as Tommy Hilfiger, that sometimes appear on the front.  And then there were the shoes.  This company actually e-mailed a list of all the types of shoes that were and were not acceptable to wear with photos of each.

 

I am by no means trying to be a clothes nazi.  I simply wish that people would take pride in looking as if they actually care about their job instead of looking like they are ready for Happy Hour.  I will break down and wear jeans on Fridays, but, I still wear a business appropriate top.

 

I try to put myself in the position of the student.  If I were to come into the college with a question and the person serving me was wearing the same “relaxed” type of clothing that I was, this would make me nervous.  I would be thinking, “Does this person really know what he/she is talking about?”

 

Please understand that I am not trying to judge people by what they wear.  I do not believe that clothes show someone’s intelligence or financial standing.  However, I do feel that how one dresses reflects how one feels.  When we are sick, we don’t style our hair and typically, just stay in our pajamas.  But, when we go out on the town, we dress to the nines.

 

There should be some sort of middle ground for work place attire.  While you are not going to the prom, you want to reflect that you are a competent, confident person who can handle the job that he/she has been given.  I don’t believe that shorts and flip-flops are the best way to achieve this goal.

Friendly Feminist

Until recently, I did not know that I was a feminist.  Perhaps, because the perceived perception of such a woman is one who is constantly bitter, standing in the streets burning her bra, screaming, “I hate men!”

 

But, I have come to realize what feminism really means: equality.  What feminists want is to have the same equal rights as men.  And these rights do not just stop at the work place.  They extend to every aspect of life itself.

 

I agree wholeheartedly.  My husband is actually the one who pointed out that I might be the “f” word.  At first, I was horrified.  While I don’t hate men, I do hate the double standard that has surrounded women since the dawn of time.  So, I took it upon myself to learn more about the word and the meaning behind it.

 

Now, I proudly admit that I am indeed one of “them.”  I am not militaristic in my views.  I believe that together, we can make the necessary changes to see that women and men are treated equally.

 

As women, we need to stand up for ourselves.  Too many times, we can see the injustice that is being done, but we don’t want to “make waves.”  So, we bite our tongue and say nothing, letting the cycle continue.

 

A woman’s voice should not be silenced.  While I do not believe in drastic measures, such as bombing abortion clinics, I do believe that we need to speak louder.  We need to use the social media to our advantage.  Create petitions.  Demand change.  But in a peaceful manner.

 

I also feel that education is the key.  The problem with so many of the world’s issues is that no one has taken the time to educate themselves.  While we have a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips, we waste our time by playing meaningless games, such as Candy Crush.

 

In the most recent issue of Glamour Magazine, there was an article called "The New Do:  Calling Yourself a Feminist."  Some of today’s leading pop stars do not consider themselves to be feminists.  To quote Katy Perry, "I am not a feminist, but I do believe in the strength of women."  And of course, Lady Gaga adds:  "I'm not a feminist-I hail men, I love men.  I celebrate American male culture and beer and bars and muscle cars."  

Yikes!  So, Katy does not understand that the whole concept of feminism is about equality.  It has nothing to do with the "strength of women."  And Lady Gaga?  In my mind, she is basically endorsing the inequality that still exists between men and women.  What a great message to be sending to her younger, female fans.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to have equal rights.  But, yet, the word "feminist" is often met with a backlash.  Not all feminists are extreme.  Just like in my "Brazen Breedism" post, we should not be judging how an entire group acts based upon the actions of one individual.

So, I will continue with the fight for the rights that women deserve.  I will publicly declare myself as a member of this movement.  Much like Martin Luther King, "I have a dream" and will not be deterred by the words that people call me.

Solitary Sidelines

My husband thinks that I’m crazy.  Why, you ask?  He believes that I do too much.  He is always telling me that I need to relax.  But, there is just so much life to experience!  I cannot imagine sitting on the couch watching TV when I can be making a change in the world.

 

I trained one of my Chihuahuas to become a certified Therapy Dog with Therapy Dogs International.  We just recently became members of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary where we visit the patients in the Care Center on Saturdays.  I have written a children’s book about our special three-legged dog, Penny, that is currently being viewed for representation.  As a member of the Freeburg E.S.D.A. (Emergency Services and Disaster Agency), I am assisting my Dad (the Coordinator) in preparing brochures and a PowerPoint presentation for our upcoming Open House.  I have also taken it upon myself to begin a campaign to have a dog park built in town.

 

And then, there are the charity walks.  I am the team captain of Memaw’s Mantel Mashers for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night event.  I am the team captain of Leonard’s Legion for the Pancreatic Cancer Network’s PurpleStride walk.  I am the team captain of Gene’s Gladiators for the American Diabetes Association’s Step Out Walk.  Then, there are about 5 dog-centered events that I am also manning.

 

Not to mention the fact that I work out every day and take care of our 6 dogs and 1 kitten.  Am I bragging?  Absolutely not.  I am just that passionate about all of these causes.

 

While I can certainly understand that many people simply do not have the time to be involved in everything that I just mentioned above, I do not understand why people are unwilling to try something new.  *Betty is one such person.  I have tried inviting her to events for years.  But, she always manages to find a reason not to go.  I encouraged her to come with me and my husband to the Canine Carnival.  She declined claiming that it “wasn’t safe” for her dogs.  Really?  If I am willing to take my fur babies somewhere, you KNOW that it’s a safe place.

 

I have encouraged her to work out and even offered to have her come to my house so that she wouldn’t have to be embarrassed at a gym.  Again, excuses prevailed.  Her knees hurt, she was tired, she doesn’t like to sweat.  Bottom line:  She doesn’t want to work.  Believe me, I do not sit at work and count down the hours until my sweat session.  But, I know that in order to be healthy, it is a necessary evil.

 

Then, Betty said the most peculiar thing to me.  She is actually the person who got me involved in the PurpleStride walk.  One of her friend’s husband was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and invited her to come to the walk.  I, in turn, was invited and loved it!  So, when the even rolled around the following year, I called Betty up to ask if she was planning on going.  To my surprise, she was angry because the friend had not personally invited her to attend.  She refused to go to the walk.  Matt and I went, however, and saw the friend who gave us a huge hug and thanked us for coming out and showing our support.  Betty missed out all because she was wanting an invitation.

 

I wonder how many people out there act the same way.  Sitting on the sidelines, waiting to be invited to participate in life.  You know what?  You don’t need an invitation!

 

You have the ability to do whatever it is that inspires you.  When you feel passionate about something, go for it!  Believe me, I was definitely nervous the first time I signed up to be a team captain.  And I used to be so shy at events like the Canine Carnival.  But, like Jillian Michaels says, once I got out of my comfort zone (a.k.a. my box), I found that a whole new part of my soul was awakened.

 

I have been a part of touching moments that I will remember for the rest of my life.  I have made connections with people who are just as enthusiastic about charities and dogs as I am.  Plus, I generally feel stronger, happier and friendlier all from expanding my horizons.

 

While trying something new can be scary, it is definitely worth the risk.  You will not gain anything from staying inside your “box,” going to the same places and doing the same things over and over.  And you don’t have to do anything huge.  Start with something small, like going somewhere different for dinner.  Attend one charity walk with your friend and see where it takes you.

 

 

So, consider this your personal invitation to participate in the greatest event ever:  your life!

*name changed

LAUREN and MATTHEW's Sponsorship Page

LAUREN and MATTHEW's Sponsorship Page: Welcome to our World Vision Sponsor Page! We are so happy to share the wonderful experience of being a sponsor with you! We hope that you will be inspired to sponsor a child (or two or three) of your own. You will not regret helping those in need!

Mandisa's 'Overcomer' Music Video World Premiere | Video - ABC News

Mandisa's 'Overcomer' Music Video World Premiere | Video - ABC News

This video is amazing!  I am reminded of my Grandma's struggle with Mantel Cell Lymphoma.  The doctor's gave her 4 months back in 2011.  She is still with us today and will be 91 in December!  Praise be to God!

Careless Church

As you know from my previous posts, I tend to stay away from such controversial subjects as religion.  I believe that everyone has the right to believe in what/whom ever he/she chooses.  However, I feel compelled to share the story of how I came to leave my church.  This post is in no way meant to push my religious beliefs on others.

So, I received a "come back to church" letter in the mail from the place of worship that my husband and I used to attend.  I can tell you exactly what I did with it:  threw it in the trash.  Now, allow me to tell you why.

I am a born and raised Christian.  My parents were both Sunday School teachers back when I was younger.  They always taught me the importance of God and going to church.  However, I was never forced into anything.  When the time came for me to be confirmed, they allowed me to choose if I wanted to partake.

I was very proud to become a member of the church that had been so important to my family.  My dad was confirmed there.  My parents were married there.  I was baptized, confirmed and married there. 

But, my fellow confirmands did not feel the same.  Most of them were simply going through the motions because their parents made them.  Going to church was not important to them.  So, once they were confirmed in front of the whole congregation, they never came back.

Still, every Sunday, I was there.  A woman who was a few years older than me tried to start a college study group to be held on Sunday mornings (like Sunday school, only geared toward college-age people).  But, she soon became frustrated because I was the only one coming.  She ended up stating that there was no point in having the group for "just" me.

Wow!  This coming from my sister in Christ.  Jesus loves and cherishes everyone and is happy to listen to all who come to him.  And I think that His followers should feel the same.

I could tell that when other members of the congregation saw me, their thought was, "It's just Lauren."  Granted, I wasn't looking for special attention or a pat on the back for being the only confirmed person to remain active within the church.  But, I was hoping to be a VALUED member.

For a brief time, I was on the Christian Education Committee.  All that the pastor could talk about was getting more young people into the church.  Bottom line:  He wanted people that were planning on having tons of children to keep the church going.  People like me and my husband were getting lost in the quest for a larger congregation.

But what brought everything to a head was the month of April 2011.  My grandmother was diagnosed with Mantel Cell Lymphoma.  In other words, she has cancer of the blood.  I could not understand why this was happening so suddenly.  Just a week prior, she had been feeling and looking great.  Now, she was reduced to being confined to a hospital bed on the chemotherapy floor.

This was a tremendous hit to my faith.  Why was this happening when I was always in church and treating people the way that I knew God wanted me to?  I tried to blame myself, but in the end, God received the brunt of my wrath.

I yelled, screamed and cried every night for two weeks straight.  The doctors were only giving her four months to live.  Why had God abandoned me?

My mom told me that the pastor had called her at home to see how she was doing and if she needed anything.  So, I patiently waited for my phone call.  It never came.  I realize that mom is grandma's daughter, but I am her only granddaughter and love her more than anything in the world.  Why was I not receiving comfort?

My husband and I traded going to church for spending the day at the hospital with grandma.  I wanted to soak up every second with her that I could.  We had not been to church in about a month.  That is when I finally received a call from the pastor.

Guess what he had to say?  That he could "squeeze me in" to see how I was doing.  Seriously?  "Squeeze me in?"  I know that I still have three books of the Bible to complete before I have read it in its entirety, but in what I've read so far, Jesus never said that He would "squeeze someone in."  In fact, He went out of his way to seek the very people that everyone else avoided:  tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers.

That was the final straw.  Not to mention the fact that none of the church members tried to contact me in any way to see if I was okay.  Why would I want to be a member of such a hypocritical institution?  They pretend to be loving and caring, but they are ignoring those that need their help.  Could no one be bothered to stop by the house?  Send a quick e-mail?  Snail mail?  I guess not.

So, Matt and I stopped going to church.  We have talked about going elsewhere.  However, I discovered something amazing.  After my anger at God had subsided, I drew closer to Him than I ever had before.  I was constantly praying and talking to Him.  I began to read my Bible again with renewed interest.

And then, I started to feel something inside.  No, my heart didn't grow three sizes like the Grinch.  I believe that God's spirit came alive within me.  I wish no offense on the church, but why would I go to a place that is so unsupportive when I can speak directly to God?

My relationship with God is the strongest that it has ever been.  He used the darkest time in my life as a catalyst to bring me closer to Him. And He also worked a miracle.  My grandmother is still with us and will celebrate her 91st birthday in December.  Praise be to God!