Look, it's simple.
If you have woman parts, then you go to the women's restroom.
If you have man parts, you go to the men's restroom.
If you aren't sure which restroom you should use because your identity doesn't align with your anatomy, then lobby for your own restroom.
It seems pretty simple to me.
I am a woman. I have woman parts. I am 100% fine with doing my business in the Women's restroom. So why is my right to privacy being trampled on simply because someone else isn't sure where they feel comfortable doing their business.
And what about my daughter?
Who's going to stop the sexual predator who sees a beautiful young girl go into a restroom and decides that today, he feels like a woman?
Not Target.
In accommodating a few, they are alienating most, never mind putting the majority of their customers (women and children) at risk.
The answer is simple.
Just give those who are exploring, confused, uncomfortable or sexually fluid their own unisex restroom.
It really is that simple.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Things I've learned....
...teaching my son to drive.
1. Never yell.
2. Never-mind. Yelling is okay as there are times your life might depend on it.
3. It's okay to pee your pants every now and again. It cannot be helped.
4. Don't assume that your child knows the difference between a stop sign and a stop light. DO NOT ASSUME.
5. The white line is optional...
6. Parking in an empty parking lot is harder than it seems.
7. All cars should come with a brake on the passenger's side.
8. I don't see the freeway in his future. You're welcome.
9. Roundabouts are evil and confusing and should be banned from Earth!
10. Prayers are answered. I know this because I am still alive.
And those are the things I've learned teaching my son to drive.
1. Never yell.
2. Never-mind. Yelling is okay as there are times your life might depend on it.
3. It's okay to pee your pants every now and again. It cannot be helped.
4. Don't assume that your child knows the difference between a stop sign and a stop light. DO NOT ASSUME.
5. The white line is optional...
6. Parking in an empty parking lot is harder than it seems.
7. All cars should come with a brake on the passenger's side.
8. I don't see the freeway in his future. You're welcome.
9. Roundabouts are evil and confusing and should be banned from Earth!
10. Prayers are answered. I know this because I am still alive.
And those are the things I've learned teaching my son to drive.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
3 minutes
Three minutes.
Not a very long span of time, right? What can happen in 3 minute?
A lot can happen in three minutes.
That's what.
Allow me to demonstrate.
I am apparently great at making all my children cry in under three minutes. It is a special skill that I have mastered, quite unintentionally as it turns out. Whether I declare "Time for chores." or "Sorry, no screen time (electronics, phones, tv, etc.) today because there was too much fighting." the weeping and wailing begins immediately.
I can be completely out cold in 3 minutes...30 seconds, actually. The second my head hits the pillow is the second I am out. Sad, really.
I can spend over $100 in Target or Hobby Lobby in three minutes.
I can make a clean car look like a tornado hit in less than 3 minutes. The secret is to give each child a snack bag at the BEGINNING of a trip and then turn on the movie. Three minutes tops, the car will be unrecognizable. You should try it sometime. Unfortunately, the cleanup usually takes like 100xs longer...especially if said children are helping with clean-up.
Though I have never timed it, I am pretty sure I can get pregnant by just looking at my husband the right way. So we can add that to the list...or at least that used to be the case. Two words: snip snip.
I can brush and floss my teeth in 3 minutes
I can burn the last batch of cookies in 3 minutes. I'm really good at that. Every time.
I can have a heart attack in three minutes. With my oldest learning how to drive, the minute he gets behind the wheel, I start to experience a shortness of breath and the whole left side of my body goes numb.
I can show my kids I love them in three minutes. Whether it is a simple "Thanks for doing that, I really appreciate it!" or "You're so good at that!" or a simple act of service, or a note in their lunch, a short back rub. All of these little things add up....add up to the knowledge that, "Hey, Mom loves me."
yup. Three minutes can make a difference!
Not a very long span of time, right? What can happen in 3 minute?
A lot can happen in three minutes.
That's what.
Allow me to demonstrate.
I am apparently great at making all my children cry in under three minutes. It is a special skill that I have mastered, quite unintentionally as it turns out. Whether I declare "Time for chores." or "Sorry, no screen time (electronics, phones, tv, etc.) today because there was too much fighting." the weeping and wailing begins immediately.
I can be completely out cold in 3 minutes...30 seconds, actually. The second my head hits the pillow is the second I am out. Sad, really.
I can spend over $100 in Target or Hobby Lobby in three minutes.
I can make a clean car look like a tornado hit in less than 3 minutes. The secret is to give each child a snack bag at the BEGINNING of a trip and then turn on the movie. Three minutes tops, the car will be unrecognizable. You should try it sometime. Unfortunately, the cleanup usually takes like 100xs longer...especially if said children are helping with clean-up.
Though I have never timed it, I am pretty sure I can get pregnant by just looking at my husband the right way. So we can add that to the list...or at least that used to be the case. Two words: snip snip.
I can brush and floss my teeth in 3 minutes
I can burn the last batch of cookies in 3 minutes. I'm really good at that. Every time.
I can have a heart attack in three minutes. With my oldest learning how to drive, the minute he gets behind the wheel, I start to experience a shortness of breath and the whole left side of my body goes numb.
I can show my kids I love them in three minutes. Whether it is a simple "Thanks for doing that, I really appreciate it!" or "You're so good at that!" or a simple act of service, or a note in their lunch, a short back rub. All of these little things add up....add up to the knowledge that, "Hey, Mom loves me."
yup. Three minutes can make a difference!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Best Book!! Someone Knows My Name
"Someone Knows My Name" by Lawrence Hill
Goodreads summary
Abducted from Africa as a child and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata Diallo thinks only of freedom―and of the knowledge she needs to get home. Sold to an indigo trader who recognizes her intelligence, Aminata is torn from her husband and child and thrown into the chaos of the Revolutionary War. In Manhattan, Aminata helps pen the Book of Negroes, a list of blacks rewarded for service to the king with safe passage to Nova Scotia. There Aminata finds a life of hardship and stinging prejudice. When the British abolitionists come looking for "adventurers" to create a new colony in Sierra Leone, Aminata assists in moving 1,200 Nova Scotians to Africa and aiding the abolitionist cause by revealing the realities of slavery to the British public. This captivating story of one woman's remarkable experience spans six decades and three continents and brings to life a crucial chapter in world history.
My Review:
I'm always so amazed with historical novels! An author's ability to intertwine inspirational characters with truly horrific historical events is simply impressive! This is one of those novels. I LOVED this book. I would say it is now the best book that I have read this year...and I read a lot of books. It is always so heart wrenching when I think about how awful we humans are to each other. But despite all that Aminata goes through, she finds a way to stay strong. She finds home wherever she goes even though she longs for her first home in Africa. Such a good book!
Goodreads summary
Abducted from Africa as a child and enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata Diallo thinks only of freedom―and of the knowledge she needs to get home. Sold to an indigo trader who recognizes her intelligence, Aminata is torn from her husband and child and thrown into the chaos of the Revolutionary War. In Manhattan, Aminata helps pen the Book of Negroes, a list of blacks rewarded for service to the king with safe passage to Nova Scotia. There Aminata finds a life of hardship and stinging prejudice. When the British abolitionists come looking for "adventurers" to create a new colony in Sierra Leone, Aminata assists in moving 1,200 Nova Scotians to Africa and aiding the abolitionist cause by revealing the realities of slavery to the British public. This captivating story of one woman's remarkable experience spans six decades and three continents and brings to life a crucial chapter in world history.
My Review:
I'm always so amazed with historical novels! An author's ability to intertwine inspirational characters with truly horrific historical events is simply impressive! This is one of those novels. I LOVED this book. I would say it is now the best book that I have read this year...and I read a lot of books. It is always so heart wrenching when I think about how awful we humans are to each other. But despite all that Aminata goes through, she finds a way to stay strong. She finds home wherever she goes even though she longs for her first home in Africa. Such a good book!
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Give it time
Anything worth having takes time.
It just takes time.
With time, things will get better.
Just give it time.
I have heard these sayings and have always assumed that they meant that over time things would get better or would become easier or become what I had expected them to be. That is what is implied.
But lately I have realized that there is more to it.
I would say that anything worth having requires time.
Things will get better if you give it time.
It requires time.
Just give it your time.
This isn't a new or profound idea...well, maybe it is profound... but it seems lately, in my life, I have been forgetting that all good things require effort, work, and especially time.
.
Strong faith.
Lasting and caring relationships with Hubs and my children.
Peace of mind.
A slim body.
A clean house.
The more time we give to the things that are important to us, the more we will get out of them. I have been looking inward lately, trying to figure out where I have been spending most of my time. I honestly can't tell you where all the time has been spent, but I can tell you it hasn't all been on the things I value most.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." In this day and age, our attention is being pulled in so many directions. It is up to us to decide where we are going to spend our time. Spend our energy. Give our attention.
I have decided that I want my time to go to those relationships and things that will last. Things that I want with me over the long haul. If I "give them time," my time, my attention...undivided...then it will be obvious where my treasure is.
And all will be well.
Except maybe not the clean house.
No amount of time will keep that sucker clean.
It just takes time.
With time, things will get better.
Just give it time.
I have heard these sayings and have always assumed that they meant that over time things would get better or would become easier or become what I had expected them to be. That is what is implied.
But lately I have realized that there is more to it.
I would say that anything worth having requires time.
Things will get better if you give it time.
It requires time.
Just give it your time.
This isn't a new or profound idea...well, maybe it is profound... but it seems lately, in my life, I have been forgetting that all good things require effort, work, and especially time.
.
Strong faith.
Lasting and caring relationships with Hubs and my children.
Peace of mind.
A slim body.
A clean house.
The more time we give to the things that are important to us, the more we will get out of them. I have been looking inward lately, trying to figure out where I have been spending most of my time. I honestly can't tell you where all the time has been spent, but I can tell you it hasn't all been on the things I value most.
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." In this day and age, our attention is being pulled in so many directions. It is up to us to decide where we are going to spend our time. Spend our energy. Give our attention.
I have decided that I want my time to go to those relationships and things that will last. Things that I want with me over the long haul. If I "give them time," my time, my attention...undivided...then it will be obvious where my treasure is.
And all will be well.
Except maybe not the clean house.
No amount of time will keep that sucker clean.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
I like not working....
They say the grass is always greener on the other side.
But in my case...the grass is literally greener here...
...on the other side.
At least the other side of winter.
You see, I used to live in a desert.
Okay, so technically Albuquerque is considered a high desert.
I'm not sure what that means...
...but I think it might have something to do with the amount of meth
flowing through the southern border.
JK! JK!!
It really just means that it is a high elevation desert...
...meaning snow...
...in a desert...
...weird...I know.
My point is this:
During most of the summer in New Mexico, if you work hard,
your grass will be green.
Most of the time.
But only if you work hard.
And water it.
A lot of water.
Often.
Then, and only then, will your grass be green.
Now I live in Cache Valley Utah.
Lots of snow.
Significantly less sun.
A plethora of the cold, wet, white stuff.
So you can imagine my delight that when the snow began to melt I saw green grass.
Green grass growing.
On it's own.
Under the snow.
I didn't have to work hard.
I didn't have to water it...
...at...all.
I didn't even have to take meth....
...wait....what?
See…
...greener grass!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Mr Darcy's Diary
"Mr Darcy's Diary" by Amanda Grange
Goodread's Summary:
Monday 9th September
""I left London today and met Bingley at Netherfield Park. I had forgotten what good company he is; always ready to be pleased and always cheerful. After my difficult summer, it is good to be with him again. ...""
"The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings was in the private pages of his diary...
"Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love.
"Mr. Darcy's Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy's point of view. This graceful imagining and sequel to Pride and Prejudice explains Darcy's moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennet. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy's words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing - qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennet's heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself.
"Pride and Prejudice has inspired a large number of modern day sequels, the most successful of which focus on the rich, proud Mr. Darcy."
My Review
Ahhh!!!
Pride and Prejudice.
I recently read the book (I'm sad to admit for the first time) and it was….ahhh!!!! Pride and Prejudice.
As awesome as the book and movie are, there are times when we have to get chunks the story second hand, some really important chunks. Not any more. Amanda Grange does a fantabulous (Yes, that is a word, Mr. Spellcheck!) job of filling in those gaps, in a very satisfying way. This book just makes me love Darcy even more. I love seeing things through his eyes. Many insights into the characters close to Darcy. PLUS, you get the extended version of the story, aka what happens in the Happily Ever. You are going to love this book!
Goodread's Summary:
Monday 9th September
""I left London today and met Bingley at Netherfield Park. I had forgotten what good company he is; always ready to be pleased and always cheerful. After my difficult summer, it is good to be with him again. ...""
"The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings was in the private pages of his diary...
"Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love.
"Mr. Darcy's Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy's point of view. This graceful imagining and sequel to Pride and Prejudice explains Darcy's moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennet. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy's words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing - qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennet's heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself.
"Pride and Prejudice has inspired a large number of modern day sequels, the most successful of which focus on the rich, proud Mr. Darcy."
My Review
Ahhh!!!
Pride and Prejudice.
I recently read the book (I'm sad to admit for the first time) and it was….ahhh!!!! Pride and Prejudice.
As awesome as the book and movie are, there are times when we have to get chunks the story second hand, some really important chunks. Not any more. Amanda Grange does a fantabulous (Yes, that is a word, Mr. Spellcheck!) job of filling in those gaps, in a very satisfying way. This book just makes me love Darcy even more. I love seeing things through his eyes. Many insights into the characters close to Darcy. PLUS, you get the extended version of the story, aka what happens in the Happily Ever. You are going to love this book!
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