There is an article that claims FB is Fueling Divorces. You can read it {{HERE}} if interested.
My first impression? That is sooooo stupid. Then I thought about how *I* use FB and compare that to how others might use it.
I usually use it on my phone throughout the day. Like if I am waiting for my screen to load on my S-L-O-W work computer. Or on hold with someone on the phone. I admit, I glance through the updates via my Droid and make comments as appropriate. That being said, there are many days I never even glance at FB until after dinner, when I am at home. Normally, that is when I am settling in to do homework, or listen to my boring online Biology lectures. I will have FB up in one tab and my schoolwork in another. Then between lectures, I will take a quick break and gander over to FB. And of course I use FB whenever I have the opportunity to snag a crazy pic with my camera phone. I mean I've GOT to upload to FB and share the little gem with my pals, right? Tee Hee.
As an experiment (after someone "accused" me of ALWAYS being on FB) I tracked my usage of actually spending time on the site a few months ago. Unless I was downloading several new pics for a new photo album, I would spend anywhere from 13-33 minutes a day on FB. Not bad, I think. Like I said... it's more like perusing 30 seconds here, 30 seconds there throughout the day.
That being said, I do know several people that like to play the games or take the quizzes on the plethora of FB apps. I don't think there is anything wrong with that; just like watching TV or reading a magazine. It's a form of entertainment; one I just don't have time for. I think it is when people spend soooooooo much time on it that it becomes addicting, and they begin to neglect their responsibilities. For example, I have heard of a lady who spent so much time on FB, from the moment she got home from work, until the wee hours of the morning, that her husband began to resent her.
The other huge issue I could see is when while connecting with many friends from the past temptations arise. Perhaps not all of a sudden. But you're rekindling a relationship and maybe begin to IM this person and eventually, you start caring more about that person than the person you're married to. You think about that person all the time; sending each other messages, etc. Maybe you even agree to meet. Well, I can see how something like finding an old flame on FB could fuel a divorce. However, I will say that I also think that if this is the case, you probably already had issues in the marriage.
The internet is a very powerful tool. It, like almost anything else, can be used for good or evil. There are many things I have heard of and know that can break up families and marriages. The obvious is of course, pornography. There are things like MySpace and Facebook and other networking sites wherein provides an opportunity to meet or reacquaint ourselves with others.
For me, I choose to avoid the things that make the internet "evil". As a single woman, I am also very careful about whom I talk to on FB. Once, an old high school friend saw I was online and started an IM Chat. Then, about halfway through he said something that could have been perceived as a subtle flirt. It was sort of hard to tell, since I could not hear voice tone inflection. But, since it made me uncomfortable, I figured it was intended as a flirt. My response was, "Does your wife know you flirt like that?" And then I said that I had to go and I haven't talked to him since. Another time, I found an old friend from church, all the way back to our nursery days, if you can imagine. Turns out this guy lives within 30 miles and works downtown; only minutes from where I live and work. He sent me a message per the usual, "Oh my gosh! It's good to see you! Where is everyone now... parents, siblings, etc." I responded in the like. Then he responded with we should grab lunch sometime and catch up.
Now, I know he is harmless. I would never think of him in a romantic way; ever. And I have gone to lunch with male clients and work associates before. BUT, this would be different. It ISN'T work. It's personal. I would never even want to give the appearance that I was meeting a married man for a lunch date. I mean, I am single... but I don't know his wife. I do not know if they are solid or having issues, etc. And I am determined not to be a catalyst for the worst; I am not a home-wrecker. I replied, "Catching up sounds fun! We should get the families together instead. Let me know."
So, yes... in general, I think that FB can be fueling divorces. I think in many cases, there are probably already problems there. In other cases, I think it's like the "flaxen chord" that Satan uses to break up families. Little by little and so sly you don't even know it until it's got a firm grasp on you... choking the life right out of your marriage.
I don't know anyone personally whom fall victim to the "Facebook Fueling Divorce" claims. But I do think it is sad. I hope you don't know anyone either... or even worse, I hope you haven't been a victim of it yourself.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Scar-let O'Hair-ah
At the dinner table Sunday night... FunnyMan says, "Mom, are you taking Steroids?"
Me: "Huh? Wha-? No... why?"
FunnyMan: "Look how hairy your arms are!"
Me: [Rolls eyes and thinks, "thanks!"]
I guess, my arms do look hairier than in the past. The past 2 summers I was always out on the trail, plus girls camp, etc. So, my arms would tan and my little hair would get sun-bleached. Now that I look at them, they do look a bit hairy. yikes! hahahahaha! Cool, you can even see a little scar on my arm...
As long as I am sharing disgusting pics of my body, here's another for our viewing pleasure...
I got this lovely war scar while fighting with some thorny bushes last weekend. And my big clippers (like 20 year old shears) busted, so I couldn't even finish the job. Anyway, looks like a nice scar is going to be there. Probably can't see it, but it is going to actually connect up with a much smaller scar from a cut I got while in high school. Cool.
Me: "Huh? Wha-? No... why?"
FunnyMan: "Look how hairy your arms are!"
Me: [Rolls eyes and thinks, "thanks!"]
I guess, my arms do look hairier than in the past. The past 2 summers I was always out on the trail, plus girls camp, etc. So, my arms would tan and my little hair would get sun-bleached. Now that I look at them, they do look a bit hairy. yikes! hahahahaha! Cool, you can even see a little scar on my arm...
As long as I am sharing disgusting pics of my body, here's another for our viewing pleasure...I got this lovely war scar while fighting with some thorny bushes last weekend. And my big clippers (like 20 year old shears) busted, so I couldn't even finish the job. Anyway, looks like a nice scar is going to be there. Probably can't see it, but it is going to actually connect up with a much smaller scar from a cut I got while in high school. Cool.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Aspartame: Fact or Fiction?
Ok, in case you haven't heard by now, there is much controversy over the concept of "Aspartame Poisoning". If you read my post from Saturday, you know that a friend of mine had some similar symptoms as I did and her nutritionist told her to stop drinking sodas/Crystal Light, etc. with Aspartame (aka "NutraSweet"). My friend told me that after she stopped drinking her diet soda she felt better. She even gave me a few links to check out. One of the links claimed that Aspartame was the cause of over 92 symptoms.
So, I had my Dr. Appointment today and I decided to ask her about this. Could it be that I had Aspartame Poisoning??? Do you know what she told me? "That's a load of crap. There is no such thing as Aspartame Poisoning." Wow. But there are soooo many websites that claim otherwise... hmmm.
She went on to further explain. She stated that the whole Aspartame "issue" began around 1995 as internet hoaxes and email scams began to surge. She stated that the only thing medical science proves is that for people with OTHER conditions, Aspartame may exacerbate certain symptoms, but in and of itself does not cause those symptoms or illnesses. She went on to say that unfortunately, many dietitians, nutritionists and herbologists (?) have hopped on the bandwagon and they are making all sorts of money on this. She also stated that the sad thing is, people often are misguided to think they have Aspartame Poisoning, so they stop the diet drinks and all of a sudden feel better. Unfortunately, it isn't lasting, because really, the illness they do have is still there, festering inside their body, and eventually, will still manifest itself later down the road. Finally, she said that "aspartame poisoning" is a "catch-all"-- a "band-aid" if you will; when they don't know what else it could be, they say it is Aspartame.
Oh, and here's another thing. My Dr. stated that many of those "92 symptoms" are also a result of dehydration. And when people replace their diet sodas with WATER, they HYDRATE the body, so of COURSE they are going to feel BETTER. Then she actually said, "Duh!" Tee hee.
Wow. Very interesting, I thought. So, Aspartame "poisoning" is currently not recognized by the medical field nor the FDA.
What do you think? What have you heard?
Cuz, I don't know about you... but I really dig my Crystal Light Lemonade in the summer. :)
So, I had my Dr. Appointment today and I decided to ask her about this. Could it be that I had Aspartame Poisoning??? Do you know what she told me? "That's a load of crap. There is no such thing as Aspartame Poisoning." Wow. But there are soooo many websites that claim otherwise... hmmm.
She went on to further explain. She stated that the whole Aspartame "issue" began around 1995 as internet hoaxes and email scams began to surge. She stated that the only thing medical science proves is that for people with OTHER conditions, Aspartame may exacerbate certain symptoms, but in and of itself does not cause those symptoms or illnesses. She went on to say that unfortunately, many dietitians, nutritionists and herbologists (?) have hopped on the bandwagon and they are making all sorts of money on this. She also stated that the sad thing is, people often are misguided to think they have Aspartame Poisoning, so they stop the diet drinks and all of a sudden feel better. Unfortunately, it isn't lasting, because really, the illness they do have is still there, festering inside their body, and eventually, will still manifest itself later down the road. Finally, she said that "aspartame poisoning" is a "catch-all"-- a "band-aid" if you will; when they don't know what else it could be, they say it is Aspartame.
Oh, and here's another thing. My Dr. stated that many of those "92 symptoms" are also a result of dehydration. And when people replace their diet sodas with WATER, they HYDRATE the body, so of COURSE they are going to feel BETTER. Then she actually said, "Duh!" Tee hee.
Wow. Very interesting, I thought. So, Aspartame "poisoning" is currently not recognized by the medical field nor the FDA.
What do you think? What have you heard?
Cuz, I don't know about you... but I really dig my Crystal Light Lemonade in the summer. :)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Not Me Monday
Monday..... and here are all the things I did NOT say or do this past week.
I did NOT have some more tests done, which I certainly did NOT post about on Saturday.
It was NOT FunnyMan's 16th birthday, and I did NOT throw him his big party bash that I have NOT been planning since February. It was NOT a murder mystery dinner, "Mystery in the Library" and the guests were NOT invited to come dressed as various literary characters. They did NOT all dress up and they were totally NOT creative. We did NOT hold the party in a room at the local Rec Center and after the mystery was "solved" they did NOT have a little dance. It was NOT FunnyMan and about 25 of his friends. We did NOT have a blast! (My feet did NOT hurt afterwards either.)
I did NOT have several weird dreams once again, about talking babies, family reunions with a murder suspect, and having to change bras discretely at a dinner party with church guests. Nope, I certainly did NOT because those would be weird dreams.
I did NOT agree to let LittleDuckling to get a summer "gig" as a Kitty-Sitter for our backyard neighbor whom did NOT sell her house before finding a new one and is NOT currently staying with her in-laws where her kitty is NOT banned. Of course, the kidlets now do NOT think we should get a meowzer of our own.
I also did NOT get to hang with my friend Ames and her hubby after my son's par-tay and we did NOT laugh and laugh and laugh. And it was NOT a great time, especially as it had been a while since we've been able to hang out.
What about you? What did you NOT do this week?
I did NOT have some more tests done, which I certainly did NOT post about on Saturday.
It was NOT FunnyMan's 16th birthday, and I did NOT throw him his big party bash that I have NOT been planning since February. It was NOT a murder mystery dinner, "Mystery in the Library" and the guests were NOT invited to come dressed as various literary characters. They did NOT all dress up and they were totally NOT creative. We did NOT hold the party in a room at the local Rec Center and after the mystery was "solved" they did NOT have a little dance. It was NOT FunnyMan and about 25 of his friends. We did NOT have a blast! (My feet did NOT hurt afterwards either.)
I did NOT have several weird dreams once again, about talking babies, family reunions with a murder suspect, and having to change bras discretely at a dinner party with church guests. Nope, I certainly did NOT because those would be weird dreams.
I did NOT agree to let LittleDuckling to get a summer "gig" as a Kitty-Sitter for our backyard neighbor whom did NOT sell her house before finding a new one and is NOT currently staying with her in-laws where her kitty is NOT banned. Of course, the kidlets now do NOT think we should get a meowzer of our own.
I also did NOT get to hang with my friend Ames and her hubby after my son's par-tay and we did NOT laugh and laugh and laugh. And it was NOT a great time, especially as it had been a while since we've been able to hang out.
What about you? What did you NOT do this week?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
So, Now What?
There is a bit too much in my head to leave it at a "Six Word Saturday" today.
About 6 weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk at work, and all of a sudden my right breast and underarm went completely numb. It lasted about 5 minutes and then everything was fine. I thought it was extremely strange and figured perhaps I was leaning on my elbow too much, or had a pinched nerve or something. Then, the next morning, all started up again. Only this time my lips would start to go numb as well. This occurred sporadically several times throughout the day. It also sort of felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I thought for sure I must have a rib out and pressing on a nerve or something. I was also just extremely tired. Like, majorly fatigued.
I had my usual monthly chiropractor appointment and thought for sure things would be better after that. They were the same, although it didn't feel like someone was sitting on my chest anymore. I called the Dr's office to get an appointment, and when the gal on the phone asked me for my symptoms, she then put me on hold and a nurse came on the line. She told me to go to the instacare or ER. She said that when things happen on the right side of the chest it often times is related to the heart. I was like... hmmm. Did not know that. But, okay.
So, off I go to the insta care. And I think the nurse on the phone probably freaked me out a little, so I probably was a little more anxious than normal. My blood pressure was abnormally high. And it is usually sooo low, they often joke that they are surprised I am alive. Anyway, they did an EKG, but all was normal. They advised me to go ahead and make an appointment with my regular Dr. Wow. $45 co-pay to tell me what I was planning on doing anyway. Great.
My appointment with my Dr. was set for 1 week later. Every day, I still had the the numbness on my right side and I began to notice that any day it was warm, I felt extreme fatigue. I had heat exhaustion once, almost to the point of heat stroke. It felt similar to the onset of that. Also, little things like going to the grocery store would wear me out. At my appointment my Dr. ordered a full blood panel and also wanted me to get a "stress echo" (stress echocardiogram) on my heart, just to be sure. I've had one of these before so I knew what it entailed. It is an ultrasound on the heart, which is really painful by the way, and then they throw you on the treadmill to stress your heart out, and then do more ultrasound.
The blood lab was scheduled for the next morning at 8 am. Had to fast beforehand. Fine. The stress-echo was scheduled for 10 days later, and I was also suppose to go in fasting. Not fine. THAT appointment was set for 12:30pm... Which meant I was gonna be HUNGRY by the time it was all over.
The blood work came back and everything was great. Thyroid, liver, glucose, cholesterol -- all fine. No signs of any infections either. Each day, I was still having numbness in the same places. Except now my tongue started going numb too. So, right underarm, chest, lips and tongue are randomly going numb at any given time throughout the day. I am so exhausted that I am actually getting more sleep than what I am used to too. (Like 6 hours instead of 4!) I tried to chart when I would get the parasthesia thinking there might be a common link. But I could not find a pattern. It happened when I sit, stood, was walking, lying down, working, eating... it just didn't seem to matter. It was all very sporadic.
Went and did the stress-echo and after doing that rigamarol, they then had me meet with the cardiologist right away. I mean, it was nice that I didn't have to wait for a week to get results, but it was after 2pm by this point and I was really hungry! The Cardio said everything looked great. She actually said, "better than normal". She went through the charts and everytime she said, "we like to see normal in this range", my little valves rated better. Good valves. :)
So, now it has been almost 6 weeks since this all began and the other day, in addition to the sporadic parasthesia of my right underarm, chest, tongue and lips, my entire right arm from shoulder to finger tips was numb for an entire 9 hour period. It was a constant numbness for 9 hrs straight. Weird!
I have been doing "research" on the internet. I have been talking to peeps on Facebook. And here is what I have found out:
I know 2 people that have MS; one man and one woman. Both stated that their symptoms started with parasthesia of extremities. Both said that they often felt fatigued and that heat made it much worse; like they just felt "achy". Both stated that their MS was detected early and therefore they have been able to treat it and live happy, normal, active lives. I know this part is true, because to look at them, you'd never even know they are "sick".
Another girl I know stated that she had similar symptoms. (Although, her tingling was just in her hands.) After a myriad of tests, her Dr. informed her it was aspartame poisoning. Apparently, among a plethora of other things it can do to you, parasthesia of the limbs is one of them. (By the way, are tongue, lips, chest and underarm considered "limbs"?)
I googled Aspartame Poisoning. One medical site said the best way to rule this out or to test the theory is to "de-tox" for 30 days. No diet sodas or anything with aspartame ("NutraSweet") in it for 30 days. If you do have it, it takes 30 days to detox and after 30 days you will feel better and your symptoms will be gone. Interesting.
I was going to stop drinking Diet Coke anyway. I had already started replacing it was water and orange juice. I was down to 1-2 per day, and some days none. So, this is a good reason to quit completely anyway. You can read more about Aspartame Poisoning {{HERE}}
So, my next follow-up is Monday. Those are the 2 things I am going to ask about.
About 6 weeks ago, I was sitting at my desk at work, and all of a sudden my right breast and underarm went completely numb. It lasted about 5 minutes and then everything was fine. I thought it was extremely strange and figured perhaps I was leaning on my elbow too much, or had a pinched nerve or something. Then, the next morning, all started up again. Only this time my lips would start to go numb as well. This occurred sporadically several times throughout the day. It also sort of felt like someone was sitting on my chest. I thought for sure I must have a rib out and pressing on a nerve or something. I was also just extremely tired. Like, majorly fatigued.
I had my usual monthly chiropractor appointment and thought for sure things would be better after that. They were the same, although it didn't feel like someone was sitting on my chest anymore. I called the Dr's office to get an appointment, and when the gal on the phone asked me for my symptoms, she then put me on hold and a nurse came on the line. She told me to go to the instacare or ER. She said that when things happen on the right side of the chest it often times is related to the heart. I was like... hmmm. Did not know that. But, okay.
So, off I go to the insta care. And I think the nurse on the phone probably freaked me out a little, so I probably was a little more anxious than normal. My blood pressure was abnormally high. And it is usually sooo low, they often joke that they are surprised I am alive. Anyway, they did an EKG, but all was normal. They advised me to go ahead and make an appointment with my regular Dr. Wow. $45 co-pay to tell me what I was planning on doing anyway. Great.
My appointment with my Dr. was set for 1 week later. Every day, I still had the the numbness on my right side and I began to notice that any day it was warm, I felt extreme fatigue. I had heat exhaustion once, almost to the point of heat stroke. It felt similar to the onset of that. Also, little things like going to the grocery store would wear me out. At my appointment my Dr. ordered a full blood panel and also wanted me to get a "stress echo" (stress echocardiogram) on my heart, just to be sure. I've had one of these before so I knew what it entailed. It is an ultrasound on the heart, which is really painful by the way, and then they throw you on the treadmill to stress your heart out, and then do more ultrasound.
The blood lab was scheduled for the next morning at 8 am. Had to fast beforehand. Fine. The stress-echo was scheduled for 10 days later, and I was also suppose to go in fasting. Not fine. THAT appointment was set for 12:30pm... Which meant I was gonna be HUNGRY by the time it was all over.
The blood work came back and everything was great. Thyroid, liver, glucose, cholesterol -- all fine. No signs of any infections either. Each day, I was still having numbness in the same places. Except now my tongue started going numb too. So, right underarm, chest, lips and tongue are randomly going numb at any given time throughout the day. I am so exhausted that I am actually getting more sleep than what I am used to too. (Like 6 hours instead of 4!) I tried to chart when I would get the parasthesia thinking there might be a common link. But I could not find a pattern. It happened when I sit, stood, was walking, lying down, working, eating... it just didn't seem to matter. It was all very sporadic.
Went and did the stress-echo and after doing that rigamarol, they then had me meet with the cardiologist right away. I mean, it was nice that I didn't have to wait for a week to get results, but it was after 2pm by this point and I was really hungry! The Cardio said everything looked great. She actually said, "better than normal". She went through the charts and everytime she said, "we like to see normal in this range", my little valves rated better. Good valves. :)
So, now it has been almost 6 weeks since this all began and the other day, in addition to the sporadic parasthesia of my right underarm, chest, tongue and lips, my entire right arm from shoulder to finger tips was numb for an entire 9 hour period. It was a constant numbness for 9 hrs straight. Weird!
I have been doing "research" on the internet. I have been talking to peeps on Facebook. And here is what I have found out:
I know 2 people that have MS; one man and one woman. Both stated that their symptoms started with parasthesia of extremities. Both said that they often felt fatigued and that heat made it much worse; like they just felt "achy". Both stated that their MS was detected early and therefore they have been able to treat it and live happy, normal, active lives. I know this part is true, because to look at them, you'd never even know they are "sick".
Another girl I know stated that she had similar symptoms. (Although, her tingling was just in her hands.) After a myriad of tests, her Dr. informed her it was aspartame poisoning. Apparently, among a plethora of other things it can do to you, parasthesia of the limbs is one of them. (By the way, are tongue, lips, chest and underarm considered "limbs"?)
I googled Aspartame Poisoning. One medical site said the best way to rule this out or to test the theory is to "de-tox" for 30 days. No diet sodas or anything with aspartame ("NutraSweet") in it for 30 days. If you do have it, it takes 30 days to detox and after 30 days you will feel better and your symptoms will be gone. Interesting.
I was going to stop drinking Diet Coke anyway. I had already started replacing it was water and orange juice. I was down to 1-2 per day, and some days none. So, this is a good reason to quit completely anyway. You can read more about Aspartame Poisoning {{HERE}}
So, my next follow-up is Monday. Those are the 2 things I am going to ask about.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Happy Sweet Sixteen!
WARNING: The contents of this post include a plethora of pictures... just couldn't help myself, tee hee.
It was 16 years ago that Funnyman was born...4 hours of labor, 20 minutes of pushing.
June 10th, 1994. 5:08am. 6 lbs 15 oz. 20 1/2 inches. He had a full head of hair not to mention dark "peach fuzz" that covered his entire face and back. He was 16 days "overdue". The nurses told me his "peach fuzz" or "down" hair (like down feather) would scrub off in his baths, and thankfully she was right. I was slightly worried that I had truly given birth to a half-monkey :)
He also had a full head of hair and it insisted on standing upright.
Here is at 2 weeks...
For his 2-month picture I tried to get his hair to lay down straight. It took lots of gel and hairspray, and luckily they snapped the picture when they did. It was already starting to creep up again, and by the time we got home, it was standing tall!
FunnyMan always had quite the imagination... Here he is at 1 year old talking to my Aunt Kae's yard "characters"...
FunnyMan never minded dressing up to pose for his dad's shoots. He loved to dress up and pull faces... Here he is around age 2 1/2 in various poses...
And of course, he never minded dressing up like Santa's Helper either! =D
Of course, liking to dress up obviously meant that Halloween was a BLAST! He loved his superheroes and often ran around the house in "capes". When he got these Superman PJ's he exclaimed that this was going to be his next costume! Here he is at 5 years old...
Dressing up for another photo shoot... age 5 1/2...
He has never really been afraid of performing in front of "large studio audiences" either. Here he is in 1st grade singing a song at the school talent show. All of the older kids were cheering him on and whistling for him. [LittleDuckling was supposed to be watching him from the front row, but happily climbed up to be with his brother.]
When they stayed with Gram and Granddad for a weekend one summer, Gram entered him in the local kiddie parade for the festival. He went as Peter Pan and he won 1st place for his age group!!!
As the oldest, he has always done an excellent job of helping to watch over his younger siblings...He is about 8 years old here...
Of course I always knew he was a cute boy. But turning into a tween??? Slow down! Here he is at around 10 years old...
Here is yet another kiddie parade at my hometown festival. He wanted to go as "Mr. President". He even insisted on having a campaign sign! lol! He is 10 years old here... Oh, and he won 1st place overall that year, since the theme was "Patriotic".
He has always been full of life and personality... Christmas, age 11... [my Blue-tree year]
Seeing as his first word was "ball", I was not surprised when he wanted to play soccer and then basketball. He was the smallest kid on his Jr. Jazz team. This pic is from the last year he played for the league. 11 years old...
For our summer family reunion annual "talent show", FunnyMan decided to perform a "midget rap". After getting over my initial shock, I must admit it was pee-your-pants-funny. 12 years old here...
In Jr. High he started to let his hair grow out. I admit -- I actually loved it. Shhh... don't tell him that! lol! 13 years old here...
Another family reunion, another family talent (or is it the "no-talent") show... 13 years old...
Still doesn't mind dressing up. Halloween '07 he went to the Jr High Halloween dance as Retro Disco Dude. No one recognized him and he left his shades on the entire dance! Guess he was the Cinderella of the Ball! HAHAHA!
Getting ready for Christmas... Age 14.
A "bulletin board" of pics of FunnyMan ages 13-15. Notice that he is in "costume" in some shots. Most likely for "experiments" or his independent film projects.
Most recent pic... again posing for his dad (or uncle) in a photo shoot. 15 1/2 years old...
His private label for his independent production company that he created. He started it around age 13... How cool is that?!?!?!
He was in a few pageants and fashion shows as a toddler and then moved on to "extra" work for commercials and movies as a younger kid. Now he has turned from that to writing, directing, filming and "producing" his own indy shorts with his friends, and they are having a blast!Is it any wonder that for his milestone birthday par-tay we are doing a Murder Mystery Dinner, complete with costumes and "scripts"??? That is tomorrow night. Should be fun!
Well, FunnyMan, through all the ups and downs, you've usually pulled through with flying colors. True, sometimes you chose the hard road, but I have tried to let you learn from your mistakes, all the while keeping my fingers crossed that you'll learn quickly :)
Thanks for being such a great kid!!! I am excited for this milestone birthday of yours! I always have and always will and certainly do love you!
Happy Birthday FunnyMan!!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
When I Grow Up
Ever since I was in High School I had several ideas and thoughts about what I wanted to be when I grew up.
When I grow up, I want to be a musical performer.
When I grow up, I want to be a realtor.
When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
When I grow up, I want to be an FBI agent.
When I grow up, I want to be a writer.
When I grow up, I want to own my own music academy for kids.
As a 16 year-old preparing for college and filling out forms, I had to choose a major. I knew it had to be a viable one; something I could excel at and something I could actually do. I decided that teaching was something I could do and still have holidays and summers with my future 10 children. (Yes. 10. Once upon a time, I dreamed of having TONS of kids.)
The Plan {Otherwise known as "Plan A"}:
As a sophomore in High School, I had it all worked out. I was going to go off to college for 3 years, majoring in music education. I loved music. I loved teaching (or at least I loved public speaking). I loved conducting (what little I had done for church). Then, when I turned 21, I would take a sabbatical, and go on a mission for my church. I felt this was important and something I had always wanted to do. Then I would come home, and finish my 4th year, followed by a semester of student teaching. It would be during this 4th & 5th year I would search for my future spouse. I would graduate by age 24 and get married sometime around that time as well. I would start having babies right away and I would have 1 child per year (or try), and be done around age 35. I would be teaching high school choir and loving it. In my "spare time" -- y'know, between raising 10 kids and what-not, I would be writing and publishing books, and probably get my real estate license... y'know, to keep my "busy" during the summer.
Yep... that was pretty much the "rough draft" of my plan. But, here is what really happened.
Plan B:
Age 18 I went off to college, majoring in music education. During semester 2, I became engaged. It was a whirlwind and we had only known each other for 6 weeks before becoming engaged. After another 4 weeks, I went back home to work for the summer and did not return until 2 weeks prior to my wedding. (So, yes. We only spent a total of 12 weeks together before getting married.) At 19, I became pregnant ~oops~ about 6 weeks after the wedding and by age 20 had my first child. We moved out of state and went back home so my then newly-graduated spouse could look for work. This was just not happening; it took 10 long months to find something for him; anything. So, instead of going back to school, I took care of baby during the day and went to work at night. I did that for a year, before being offered a promotion that our budget could not refuse. I found a lovely lady right across the street from my work who took my baby in during the day and refused to be paid more than practically nothing. I kept thinking, as soon as we get on our feet, I will go back to school - maybe "next year". Next year turned into 2, and then we moved across country, again for spouse to find a better job. I was 23. 3 months after settling in, I found out I was preggo with #2, and the next year, only 3 months after #2 was born, I went back to work. I worked nights so I didn't have to do day care. That was my life for the next 7 years, and I had baby #3 in there somewhere. Finally at age 30, I left the night job and got my real estate license, because it was doable much faster than going back to school. I did that for a few years and loved it. But, by age 33, I was in the middle of a divorce and the market tanked. I found an office job for the title company next door. I liked the people, and felt I was good at what I was doing. But I didn't love my job. And it wouldn't be something I could raise my family on, on 1 income. I was 34 when my divorce was final. I thought to myself, I could stay with this job, doing this until I retire. Doing this for the next 30 years? OR, I could back to school, maybe finish by the time I am 40, and then do something else I possibly enjoy for 25. When put in that perspective, there was no choice. I knew I would finally be going back to school.
The New Plan B:
So, I was once again faced with the burning question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" I already had my real estate license. I could check that off my proverbial occupational bucket list. Musical performance might be fun, but let's face it, I am not the cream of the crop there; not realistic. Starting my own business is too risky right now, and I think I may have surpassed my window of opportunity for the FBI. That just leaves, writing and teaching. Since my goal at this point in my life is a steady income with benefits, teaching it is. I am majoring in Music Education with the hopes of teaching High School Choir.
Plan Bb:
I read once that how you label yourself plays a huge part in your own success. For example, if you run often for exercise or even fun, do you consider yourself a "runner"? Or do you think "runners" are only those who run in races, or are sponsored for their sport? If you sew a lot, do you consider yourself a "seamstress"? Or is that title only held for someone who actually gets paid for it. It was a very interesting concept. With that in mind, I decided I am already a writer. I have written several books and stories. I just haven't published them. I "write" several blogs. Yes. I am a writer. I've decided in an effort to get published one day, I am doing a double major. I am also majoring in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing.
Reflection:
I never thought, 20 years ago, sitting in my high school guidance counselor's office, that this is where I'd be today. According to "Plan A", I'd have up to 10 kids, live in the 2 story house with the white-picket fence, going to book signings on the weekends, teaching choir during the week, and married "happily ever after". Funny how things turn out.
There are 3 sayings that come to mind right now. "Sometimes the choices we make are more about the choices we leave behind.", "Patience doesn't mean sitting back and doing nothing."... and... "You can do hard things."
I feel much better about my current circumstance when I think about those three statements. Life is a journey; my journey. I have made choices that brought me here; either the choice to move forward or the choice to leave something behind. Nevertheless, they are my choices. I accept that. I feel empowered to know that I am the one writing my story now, and that although I do not know what my "Happily Ever After" will fully entail, I'm buckled in and plan to have the time of my life doing it!
I am a mother, a student-soon-to-be-teacher, licensed in both real estate and escrow, and I am a writer.
When I grow up, I want to be a musical performer.
When I grow up, I want to be a realtor.
When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
When I grow up, I want to be an FBI agent.
When I grow up, I want to be a writer.
When I grow up, I want to own my own music academy for kids.
As a 16 year-old preparing for college and filling out forms, I had to choose a major. I knew it had to be a viable one; something I could excel at and something I could actually do. I decided that teaching was something I could do and still have holidays and summers with my future 10 children. (Yes. 10. Once upon a time, I dreamed of having TONS of kids.)
The Plan {Otherwise known as "Plan A"}:
As a sophomore in High School, I had it all worked out. I was going to go off to college for 3 years, majoring in music education. I loved music. I loved teaching (or at least I loved public speaking). I loved conducting (what little I had done for church). Then, when I turned 21, I would take a sabbatical, and go on a mission for my church. I felt this was important and something I had always wanted to do. Then I would come home, and finish my 4th year, followed by a semester of student teaching. It would be during this 4th & 5th year I would search for my future spouse. I would graduate by age 24 and get married sometime around that time as well. I would start having babies right away and I would have 1 child per year (or try), and be done around age 35. I would be teaching high school choir and loving it. In my "spare time" -- y'know, between raising 10 kids and what-not, I would be writing and publishing books, and probably get my real estate license... y'know, to keep my "busy" during the summer.
Yep... that was pretty much the "rough draft" of my plan. But, here is what really happened.
Plan B:
Age 18 I went off to college, majoring in music education. During semester 2, I became engaged. It was a whirlwind and we had only known each other for 6 weeks before becoming engaged. After another 4 weeks, I went back home to work for the summer and did not return until 2 weeks prior to my wedding. (So, yes. We only spent a total of 12 weeks together before getting married.) At 19, I became pregnant ~oops~ about 6 weeks after the wedding and by age 20 had my first child. We moved out of state and went back home so my then newly-graduated spouse could look for work. This was just not happening; it took 10 long months to find something for him; anything. So, instead of going back to school, I took care of baby during the day and went to work at night. I did that for a year, before being offered a promotion that our budget could not refuse. I found a lovely lady right across the street from my work who took my baby in during the day and refused to be paid more than practically nothing. I kept thinking, as soon as we get on our feet, I will go back to school - maybe "next year". Next year turned into 2, and then we moved across country, again for spouse to find a better job. I was 23. 3 months after settling in, I found out I was preggo with #2, and the next year, only 3 months after #2 was born, I went back to work. I worked nights so I didn't have to do day care. That was my life for the next 7 years, and I had baby #3 in there somewhere. Finally at age 30, I left the night job and got my real estate license, because it was doable much faster than going back to school. I did that for a few years and loved it. But, by age 33, I was in the middle of a divorce and the market tanked. I found an office job for the title company next door. I liked the people, and felt I was good at what I was doing. But I didn't love my job. And it wouldn't be something I could raise my family on, on 1 income. I was 34 when my divorce was final. I thought to myself, I could stay with this job, doing this until I retire. Doing this for the next 30 years? OR, I could back to school, maybe finish by the time I am 40, and then do something else I possibly enjoy for 25. When put in that perspective, there was no choice. I knew I would finally be going back to school.
The New Plan B:
So, I was once again faced with the burning question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" I already had my real estate license. I could check that off my proverbial occupational bucket list. Musical performance might be fun, but let's face it, I am not the cream of the crop there; not realistic. Starting my own business is too risky right now, and I think I may have surpassed my window of opportunity for the FBI. That just leaves, writing and teaching. Since my goal at this point in my life is a steady income with benefits, teaching it is. I am majoring in Music Education with the hopes of teaching High School Choir.
Plan Bb:
I read once that how you label yourself plays a huge part in your own success. For example, if you run often for exercise or even fun, do you consider yourself a "runner"? Or do you think "runners" are only those who run in races, or are sponsored for their sport? If you sew a lot, do you consider yourself a "seamstress"? Or is that title only held for someone who actually gets paid for it. It was a very interesting concept. With that in mind, I decided I am already a writer. I have written several books and stories. I just haven't published them. I "write" several blogs. Yes. I am a writer. I've decided in an effort to get published one day, I am doing a double major. I am also majoring in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing.
Reflection:
I never thought, 20 years ago, sitting in my high school guidance counselor's office, that this is where I'd be today. According to "Plan A", I'd have up to 10 kids, live in the 2 story house with the white-picket fence, going to book signings on the weekends, teaching choir during the week, and married "happily ever after". Funny how things turn out.
There are 3 sayings that come to mind right now. "Sometimes the choices we make are more about the choices we leave behind.", "Patience doesn't mean sitting back and doing nothing."... and... "You can do hard things."
I feel much better about my current circumstance when I think about those three statements. Life is a journey; my journey. I have made choices that brought me here; either the choice to move forward or the choice to leave something behind. Nevertheless, they are my choices. I accept that. I feel empowered to know that I am the one writing my story now, and that although I do not know what my "Happily Ever After" will fully entail, I'm buckled in and plan to have the time of my life doing it!
I am a mother, a student-soon-to-be-teacher, licensed in both real estate and escrow, and I am a writer.
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