So, I'm excited, because Jason and I finally decided to join the rest of America and purchase an I-Pod Nano! We decided we would get it as a joint anniversary gift for ourselves. We ended up buying it today! (A little early for our anniversary, but we get the point!) I must say, I am pleased with our purchase so far! :o)
The thing I noticed though, is how dangerous the consumer mind-set is. Of course, now that we have the Nano, we need to get the car charger/transmitter so we can listen to our I-Pod in the car. Then, there is the alarm clock that you can dock your I-Pod in, so you can wake up to your favorite tunes! Then, there is the case, the docking station, etc, etc, etc. The list continues. Yikes! By the end, this Nano is going to cost quite a bit! (Not too mention all the songs we will buy on I-Tunes!) Apple was smart! Should have bought some stock a while ago, huh?
Then, once you make a big purchase, it is easy to want to buy more, isn't it? Afterwards we walked into Bed Bath & Beyond, and started pricing new toaster ovens. Then we went to Costco, and started looking at patio furniture and playsets. Not that we bought any of these things, or we even have the slightest intention of buying them, but it is so easy, isn't it? I find that when I am in the habit of spending, I want to continue spending. But when I am in the habit of saving, that is what I do.
Now, Jason and I are not "big spenders", mainly because corporate America sickens us, but we often have times when we just want to spend, spend, spend. Granted, the Nano was a gift to ourselves, celebrating three years of marriage, but that can easily turn into greed. And once again it is time to relearn contentment!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Can't We All Just Get Along?
DISCLAIMER: So, I want to preface this blog with the fact that I am not fully knowledgable on politics, in fact I just registered to vote a few months ago. So, if I am wrong with some of my opinions because I am too naive, then so be it, but this is how things are as I understand them.
I just finished reading a book called I Sold My Soul on Ebay. Ok, so before you start blasting me, let me explain, briefly, the premise of this book. The author is an atheist (self-proclaimed at the "friendly atheist) who "Sold his Soul" on Ebay. In the auction he has stated that for every $10 that the bidder paid for him, he would go to church for one hour. Any church that the bidder wanted. He is very knowledgable about the Christian faith, but he wanted to see what church would look like through the eyes of an atheist. Long story short, an organization called Off The Map won his "soul" for $504. Now, if you are doing the math, that would mean he would be in church almost every Sunday for the next year. They made a deal with him that he would go to 15 churches (of differing types), and write a book about his findings. This book is about what he discovered as an atheist in Christian churches. Some of his observations are a little unsettling...
One of the things the author felt the church lacked was social justice. There were plently of sermons preached that told people how to better their lives, but what about bettering the society we live in? While he heard some churches talking about social justice issues, he didn't hear of many churches that were actually practicing social justice issues. Now, as I understand it, the Democratic party is one that mainly focuses on social justice, and the Republican party mainly focuses on moral issues. But, I pose the question, aren't these connected? Isn't social justice a moral issue? At least it is for me. What would help our society more? Taking care of the poor and the homeless, or outlawing abortion? Is it enough to say, "You can't abort babies, but once they get into the world, we aren't responsible for taking care of them as a society!"? (Ok, I AM Pro Life, but can you see the point that I am making here?) After all, what did Jesus spend his life doing? Telling people what they could or couldn't do, or taking care of the poor and oppressed?
Alright, so I understand that this blog is a bit controversial! I would love to have dialogue about it! I would welcome for you to leave comments, and we can have a discussion! I am still wrestling through things myself. But, if you lovingly want to engage me in a conversation about this blog, I would welcome it openly!
I just finished reading a book called I Sold My Soul on Ebay. Ok, so before you start blasting me, let me explain, briefly, the premise of this book. The author is an atheist (self-proclaimed at the "friendly atheist) who "Sold his Soul" on Ebay. In the auction he has stated that for every $10 that the bidder paid for him, he would go to church for one hour. Any church that the bidder wanted. He is very knowledgable about the Christian faith, but he wanted to see what church would look like through the eyes of an atheist. Long story short, an organization called Off The Map won his "soul" for $504. Now, if you are doing the math, that would mean he would be in church almost every Sunday for the next year. They made a deal with him that he would go to 15 churches (of differing types), and write a book about his findings. This book is about what he discovered as an atheist in Christian churches. Some of his observations are a little unsettling...
One of the things the author felt the church lacked was social justice. There were plently of sermons preached that told people how to better their lives, but what about bettering the society we live in? While he heard some churches talking about social justice issues, he didn't hear of many churches that were actually practicing social justice issues. Now, as I understand it, the Democratic party is one that mainly focuses on social justice, and the Republican party mainly focuses on moral issues. But, I pose the question, aren't these connected? Isn't social justice a moral issue? At least it is for me. What would help our society more? Taking care of the poor and the homeless, or outlawing abortion? Is it enough to say, "You can't abort babies, but once they get into the world, we aren't responsible for taking care of them as a society!"? (Ok, I AM Pro Life, but can you see the point that I am making here?) After all, what did Jesus spend his life doing? Telling people what they could or couldn't do, or taking care of the poor and oppressed?
Alright, so I understand that this blog is a bit controversial! I would love to have dialogue about it! I would welcome for you to leave comments, and we can have a discussion! I am still wrestling through things myself. But, if you lovingly want to engage me in a conversation about this blog, I would welcome it openly!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Slow Down
First of all, I need to say that for the first time on Monday, I went swimming in MARCH! Well... I went in the pool. Even though it was 90 degrees here the pool was freezing. Kaelyn screamed for the first minute, but after her legs and feet numbed up, she had a blast! Ok, now onto the real blog...
So, I am getting increasingly frustrated with California drivers! I get so frustrated by the people that make our roads dangerous, just so they can get somewhere faster. These people have no care that I am trying to safely get my precious little daughter from place to place. It really annoys me.
Now, before I go any further, I need to say, I used to be one of these drivers who could never get somewhere quickly enough. Although, I did, for the most part, follow the speed limit, I did have my share of tailgating slow drivers and dangerous maneuvers. But, I have learned from my mistakes! I'm not so sure other people will slow down for anything short of death!
I have actually been tailgated and then followed for doing 5 over the speed limit out here. (Did I mention that this was on a very curvy, dangerous road too?) Yes, I said 5 OVER, not UNDER! And out here, if you are getting followed by someone, nothing guarantees that they won't pull a gun on you, which really scared me when I had my 1-year-old in the backseat!
Then, I have to laugh at the people that go zooming around me, only to be stuck at the same red light as I am, then watched them floor it out of there, only to meet up with them at the next red light. Ha ha ha! Or the sweet satisfaction that I once had of someone speeding around me, then watching the red and blue lights come on and they got nailed. But, unfortunately, that satisfaction is a rare occurrence.
So, I am urging you all to SLOW DOWN! You never know who could be in that car that you are tailgating or swerving around! If you want to be reckless, do it when only your life is at risk, not innocent little children who have no say
So, I am getting increasingly frustrated with California drivers! I get so frustrated by the people that make our roads dangerous, just so they can get somewhere faster. These people have no care that I am trying to safely get my precious little daughter from place to place. It really annoys me.
Now, before I go any further, I need to say, I used to be one of these drivers who could never get somewhere quickly enough. Although, I did, for the most part, follow the speed limit, I did have my share of tailgating slow drivers and dangerous maneuvers. But, I have learned from my mistakes! I'm not so sure other people will slow down for anything short of death!
I have actually been tailgated and then followed for doing 5 over the speed limit out here. (Did I mention that this was on a very curvy, dangerous road too?) Yes, I said 5 OVER, not UNDER! And out here, if you are getting followed by someone, nothing guarantees that they won't pull a gun on you, which really scared me when I had my 1-year-old in the backseat!
Then, I have to laugh at the people that go zooming around me, only to be stuck at the same red light as I am, then watched them floor it out of there, only to meet up with them at the next red light. Ha ha ha! Or the sweet satisfaction that I once had of someone speeding around me, then watching the red and blue lights come on and they got nailed. But, unfortunately, that satisfaction is a rare occurrence.
So, I am urging you all to SLOW DOWN! You never know who could be in that car that you are tailgating or swerving around! If you want to be reckless, do it when only your life is at risk, not innocent little children who have no say
Friday, March 9, 2007
From Bad to Good
Yesterday was one of those days where I wish I would have just stayed in bed. Ever have a day like that? I mean, obviously I couldn't just stay in bed... but it sure would have been nice. It was one of those days where nothing traumatic happened, but a bunch of little things added up to be one big mess of a day. I'm sure you know what I am talking about.
So, this morning I did decide to stay in bed! :o) Not forever, but longer than usual, to make up for my bad day yesterday. Jason had a meeting this morning, so he wasn't eating breakfast at home, so I took the opportunity to sleep in, well, as much as you can with a 13-month-old... I slept until about 7:15. Kaelyn woke up not long after that, but I let her play in her crib for a while, she was quite happy in there.
After a while the phone rang, and to make a long story short, it was the City of Chino Hills saying that Kaelyn made it into the "Kids Love Music" class, which um, started 50 minutes from when the phone call arrived, and I had to get there early to register. See, yesterday I had called and found out that I was put on the Wait List, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. So, I was VERY excited to find out that we were in the class, but getting ready was going to take nothing short of a miracle in the little bit of time I had.
So, I started rumaging through my closet, and decided, "what the heck... I'm going to try on this pair of capri's that hasn't fit me in years!" So, I tried them on, and they fit! I could not believe it. I was thrilled. I went and got on the scale and discovered that I am back down to the weight that I was when I got married! YAY! Another plus for today!
So, all of this is to say that I have never had a good day completely cancel out the bad day that happend right before it. And that is awesome!
So, this morning I did decide to stay in bed! :o) Not forever, but longer than usual, to make up for my bad day yesterday. Jason had a meeting this morning, so he wasn't eating breakfast at home, so I took the opportunity to sleep in, well, as much as you can with a 13-month-old... I slept until about 7:15. Kaelyn woke up not long after that, but I let her play in her crib for a while, she was quite happy in there.
After a while the phone rang, and to make a long story short, it was the City of Chino Hills saying that Kaelyn made it into the "Kids Love Music" class, which um, started 50 minutes from when the phone call arrived, and I had to get there early to register. See, yesterday I had called and found out that I was put on the Wait List, and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. So, I was VERY excited to find out that we were in the class, but getting ready was going to take nothing short of a miracle in the little bit of time I had.
So, I started rumaging through my closet, and decided, "what the heck... I'm going to try on this pair of capri's that hasn't fit me in years!" So, I tried them on, and they fit! I could not believe it. I was thrilled. I went and got on the scale and discovered that I am back down to the weight that I was when I got married! YAY! Another plus for today!
So, all of this is to say that I have never had a good day completely cancel out the bad day that happend right before it. And that is awesome!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Why Do I Miss Chicago?
So, this picture was taken less than 5 miles away from where I grew up! It was taken today, and as you can see, the snow and cold was a little more than miserable today! While this was taking place, I was at the park, pushing Kaelyn in a swing enjoying the 80 degree weather. So... Why do I miss Chicago???
I love Chicago. I may be a little biased, but I really think it is the best big city we have in America. I love the downtown area, and I just love the feeling of Chicago. Maybe it is my best friends that I still have there, that I miss dearly... Maybe it is the fact that my dad is there, who again, I miss tremendously! Whatever it is, for some reason, even after seeing this picture, I still miss Chicago!
Since moving to this concrete jungle known as Southern California, I have learned to appreciate Chicago more and more. In fact, when Jason, Kaelyn, and I went back there last summer, we were amazed at how curteous all the drivers were!?!?!? I never thought I would call a Chicago driver curteous!
So, you can have your 80 degree days, and conjested freeways. You can keep your smog, your glamour, and your high housing costs. Give me Chicago any day. Even today!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
New Year's Resolution Update
Well... almost a month has passed since I started Weight Watchers. It takes a month to form a habit, right? So far, so good! I have lost almost 10 pounds!
So, yesterday, I went out to eat with my in-laws for lunch. And I tried to look for one of the healthiest things on the menu. (I even substituted a fruit cup for my french fries!) When it came to me, I noticed that the bread of my sandwich was heavily buttered. Being who I am, I didn't want to complain, so I ate it, and chalked it up to the fact that I have my flex points. But afterwards, I not only felt guilty for eating it, I felt gross. The funny thing is, the sandwich was still relatively healthy, but I still just felt yuck!
So, I guess I have formed a habit, and one where junk food doesn't even sound appealing any more. However, I am getting sick of eating the same things every day. Funny!
Oh, and as for my ban on restraunts who won't give nutritional information, that is still going strong too. I am getting more upset at restraunts who claim they can't give me the information because vendors are different throughout the country, yet they can give me the information on the healthy part of their menu. I have officially, now as a voting citizen, written my congressman to see if I can get anything changed. If fast food restraunts need to be held accountable, I believe family restraunts (who I am sure are serving food worse than the fast food industry!) should be held accountable as well. I know... it seems trivial, but it is a big deal to me!
So, yesterday, I went out to eat with my in-laws for lunch. And I tried to look for one of the healthiest things on the menu. (I even substituted a fruit cup for my french fries!) When it came to me, I noticed that the bread of my sandwich was heavily buttered. Being who I am, I didn't want to complain, so I ate it, and chalked it up to the fact that I have my flex points. But afterwards, I not only felt guilty for eating it, I felt gross. The funny thing is, the sandwich was still relatively healthy, but I still just felt yuck!
So, I guess I have formed a habit, and one where junk food doesn't even sound appealing any more. However, I am getting sick of eating the same things every day. Funny!
Oh, and as for my ban on restraunts who won't give nutritional information, that is still going strong too. I am getting more upset at restraunts who claim they can't give me the information because vendors are different throughout the country, yet they can give me the information on the healthy part of their menu. I have officially, now as a voting citizen, written my congressman to see if I can get anything changed. If fast food restraunts need to be held accountable, I believe family restraunts (who I am sure are serving food worse than the fast food industry!) should be held accountable as well. I know... it seems trivial, but it is a big deal to me!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Of Voting Registration and Video Rentals
Well, I've done it! The thing I said I would never do. I sent in my form today to register to vote. It is a long complicated story, but I hope I can quickly sum it up.
Last night Jason and I watched a very disturbing movie. The movie is entitled Jesus Camp. It is a documentary of a camp in North Dakota for children, and it is run by an Evangelical Pentacostal Pastor, and a very fundamental one at that. At this camp they indoctrinated, and teetered very closely to the edge of brainwashing these children.
Now, if you know me, I am a Christian, but I am very against what was portrayed in this movie, and I feel the people in this movie are very poor representations of Christians. We were called to love others, not to "save" them. In fact, Jesus hated the haughty Christians of his day too!
In this movie there were 9-year-old children having emotional experiences way beyond their age! Besides, they were forcing these kids to take a stand on abortion and speak out against abortion. Do these kids even understand what they are taking a stand against??? Then came the political agenda. They were basically telling these kids that Republican equals good, and Democrat is bad. Again, do these kids even know what that means??? I was saddened because these kids are so young and impressionable, and they are being used!
So, in this movie, these kids were traveling all over the place to all these different Christian things, and one of the places they went was Ted Haggard's church... If you remember recent news stories of Ted Haggard... we know where he is now... Anyway, one of the comments that he made in an interview for this movie (he really creeped me out) was that if every Evangelical Christian voted we could keep the Republicans in office.
Who is to say that Evangelical Christians are all Republican? Did Jesus come with a political agenda? And why do we need to have a political agenda as Christians? So... this comment infurriated me, and I decided that I needed to stand up, as an Evangelical Christian, and do my part to not just blindly vote for the Republican party, because it is the "Christian thing to do!"
So, I am proud to say, that I hope my very first vote will be for Barak Obama in the 2008 presidential elections!!!
Last night Jason and I watched a very disturbing movie. The movie is entitled Jesus Camp. It is a documentary of a camp in North Dakota for children, and it is run by an Evangelical Pentacostal Pastor, and a very fundamental one at that. At this camp they indoctrinated, and teetered very closely to the edge of brainwashing these children.
Now, if you know me, I am a Christian, but I am very against what was portrayed in this movie, and I feel the people in this movie are very poor representations of Christians. We were called to love others, not to "save" them. In fact, Jesus hated the haughty Christians of his day too!
In this movie there were 9-year-old children having emotional experiences way beyond their age! Besides, they were forcing these kids to take a stand on abortion and speak out against abortion. Do these kids even understand what they are taking a stand against??? Then came the political agenda. They were basically telling these kids that Republican equals good, and Democrat is bad. Again, do these kids even know what that means??? I was saddened because these kids are so young and impressionable, and they are being used!
So, in this movie, these kids were traveling all over the place to all these different Christian things, and one of the places they went was Ted Haggard's church... If you remember recent news stories of Ted Haggard... we know where he is now... Anyway, one of the comments that he made in an interview for this movie (he really creeped me out) was that if every Evangelical Christian voted we could keep the Republicans in office.
Who is to say that Evangelical Christians are all Republican? Did Jesus come with a political agenda? And why do we need to have a political agenda as Christians? So... this comment infurriated me, and I decided that I needed to stand up, as an Evangelical Christian, and do my part to not just blindly vote for the Republican party, because it is the "Christian thing to do!"
So, I am proud to say, that I hope my very first vote will be for Barak Obama in the 2008 presidential elections!!!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Birthdays
I love Birthdays! I like my own, but moreso, I like the Birthdays of the people I love. I don't know why, I just do. I love trying to make them feel special on their day! :o)
So, today is my little girl's 1st Birthday, and I am so excited for her. But, why is there this thing in the back of my head that thinks that when she turns 1, she will all of the sudden get up, walk perfectly, and say words that make sense? Why this thought? I was not even mildly shocked when we went to get her out of her crib this morning that she still refers to everything as "da da" (Even I am "da da" for the moment, which I guess will suffice!) and she still stumbles and falls while trying to take those steps!
Birthdays are funny things. They are markers for us, but why do we think that something big is going to happen? I guess my roll as Mommy is to make something big happen for my little one on her special day!
Happy Birthday, Sweetie! Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and are so proud of you!!!
So, today is my little girl's 1st Birthday, and I am so excited for her. But, why is there this thing in the back of my head that thinks that when she turns 1, she will all of the sudden get up, walk perfectly, and say words that make sense? Why this thought? I was not even mildly shocked when we went to get her out of her crib this morning that she still refers to everything as "da da" (Even I am "da da" for the moment, which I guess will suffice!) and she still stumbles and falls while trying to take those steps!
Birthdays are funny things. They are markers for us, but why do we think that something big is going to happen? I guess my roll as Mommy is to make something big happen for my little one on her special day!
Happy Birthday, Sweetie! Mommy and Daddy love you so much, and are so proud of you!!!
Friday, January 5, 2007
Nutrition and Eating Out
I am a little upset at the moment. Since beginning this Weight Watchers thing, I am very anal about how many points things are. (If you know me, are you at all surprised by this statement!) Anyway, I e-mailed some of my favorite restraunts just to get the nutrition information of some of my favorite dishes, as I have flex points that I can use any time throughout the week, and would like to know if I am consuming 20 points or 60! Anyway, I get a nice "friendly" e-mail back from one of the restraunts claiming that they do not have the nutrition information available at this time! (I asked for the nutrition information for their SALADS!) As the e-mail continues... if you would like to eat healthy try one of these things on our menu!
So, the issue isn't that I just want to eat healthy, I want to know what I am putting into my body, and it outrages me that these restraunts won't even tell me what I am putting into my body. Wasn't there a law passed at some point about this? And if there wasn't, there sure should be. Isn't it our right to know what we are putting into our body, or are restraunts that afraid to tell us? And if they are that afraid, should we continue going? Now, I am not a huge "my rights" kind of person, but I still think that I have the right to know what I am consuming!
I e-mailed them back and let them know the reasons that I wanted the nutrition information, and if they still can't provide it, then I guess I'll have to find somewhere else to eat!
So, I think I have now started this "campaign" (be it ever so small) that I will not eat at any restraunt unless they are willing to give me the full nutritional information for the dish I want to eat. Simply because I want to know what I am putting in my body! When I cook at home I sure know what is going into my body!
So, the issue isn't that I just want to eat healthy, I want to know what I am putting into my body, and it outrages me that these restraunts won't even tell me what I am putting into my body. Wasn't there a law passed at some point about this? And if there wasn't, there sure should be. Isn't it our right to know what we are putting into our body, or are restraunts that afraid to tell us? And if they are that afraid, should we continue going? Now, I am not a huge "my rights" kind of person, but I still think that I have the right to know what I am consuming!
I e-mailed them back and let them know the reasons that I wanted the nutrition information, and if they still can't provide it, then I guess I'll have to find somewhere else to eat!
So, I think I have now started this "campaign" (be it ever so small) that I will not eat at any restraunt unless they are willing to give me the full nutritional information for the dish I want to eat. Simply because I want to know what I am putting in my body! When I cook at home I sure know what is going into my body!
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
New Year's Resolutions
Well, I've done it... I have joined the gazillions of Americans who have made the resolution to lose weight! However, I'm not so sure I did it as a "New Year's Resolution!" I simply did it because after Christmas you feel like such a hog from all the eating! (Especially in Florida... we were fed well!) So, I guess I just happened to start my diet on New Year's Day. Let's call it a coincidence!
I have had years of nothing but frustrations with my weight. I really don't feel like I eat that much, and for the most part I eat healthful. Everyone has to splurge once in a while, right? So, where does this weight come from? So, since I can't seem to do anything about this on my own, I joined Weight Watchers Online. (Does this officially make me obese???)
So far, I'm loving it... Ask me again in a few weeks! :o) At least Jason is doing it with me. (As if he had any weight to lose!) For now I am obsessed with this Weight Watchers thing... Gotta find out how many points everything is... Gotta portion everything out just so... Ooops, that was 13 tortilla chips on my plate, not 12, better put one back! But how long with this last? I'll keep you updated!
I have had years of nothing but frustrations with my weight. I really don't feel like I eat that much, and for the most part I eat healthful. Everyone has to splurge once in a while, right? So, where does this weight come from? So, since I can't seem to do anything about this on my own, I joined Weight Watchers Online. (Does this officially make me obese???)
So far, I'm loving it... Ask me again in a few weeks! :o) At least Jason is doing it with me. (As if he had any weight to lose!) For now I am obsessed with this Weight Watchers thing... Gotta find out how many points everything is... Gotta portion everything out just so... Ooops, that was 13 tortilla chips on my plate, not 12, better put one back! But how long with this last? I'll keep you updated!
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