At the risk of being more of a Safety Mom than I already am (just ask Dear Friend Micheale's boys who have to were helmets at my house to ride the ripstick) I thought I wold share this little video today. I love the message, and like the way it was presented too. Be safe out there everyone.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Not Just for Vampires
Yesterday I was scheduled to give blood at 4 PM. As we sat down to dinner, at nearly 6, The Girl, looking a t a postcard on the kitchen bulletin board, says, "Hey. mom, weren't you supposed to give blood today?" So I ran off to donate, hoping the line wouldn't be too long.Usually at out local blood drives I try to get there just as they begin, so I can get kids from school, or off to other things. It takes about 30-40 minutes if I can get in and through the red tape to make it to the chair to give the blood. Giving the blood only takes 4 minutes 58 seconds (at least last night that was my time). It is the paper work that takes forever.
Generally I have a friend or two that show up and we can chat while we donate, or while we wait to donate. that makes the time go by aster. Also, it helps when the Red Cross folks are in a good mood. But lately, they haven't been.
Last night, either due to my tardy remembrance or because the weather was still good, there was hardly anyone there. Two first time sisters (two very recent YW from another ward) were there to lend each other moral support. I applauded them for coming to try. I even told Miss F, the younger, that after she gives blood she can feel good about everything else that day. That she had saved 3 lives with her pint of blood. She still looked nervous.
If you haven't thought about giving blood lately, do me a favor and re-examine that decision. Yes, I know it is a little inconvenient, and the needles are not fun. But the good that comes from a little stick in your arm is worth it. Besides, you never know when the one who needs it might be you, or your family.
Just think about it and then join me next time the Red Cross is here to get my blood. I'll chat with you as we save lives.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
"Flaky" is More Than a Pastry's Description
I read a very curious article this week on Commitment. I was fascinated about it because I thought I was the only one that was having these kind of thoughts. [Well, my moms commiserated with me, but she is quite far away and we don't commiserate over lunch, just over the phone.] It is me, or is everyone turning a bit more FLAKY?
What is with people that they can just decide to "be done" with something they have committed to do when it suddenly involves a little more effort or work?! Is there no sense of responsibility or purpose in finishing a task?!
Yes, these can be considered rhetorical questions. Just answer them to yourselves, unless you want to leave a comment with your side of this conversation.
Years ago, about this same time of year, people might have blamed a little illness called "Senioritis". But none of the suspects of late are anywhere near the HS Senior bracket.
In this article I read, author Sarah Ingram Westerberg writes " In an increasing flaky world, it seems that the word commitment has been progressively modified such that, in many contexts, it no longer resembles what it used to mean. More and more I hear people seeking to justify breaking a commitment. They say ' I have to so what is right for me' or 'I am just too tired' or, especially, 'I am just too busy.' We hear people talk of the casual, partial, or half-hearted commitment. But anything less than complete, absolute, or total commitment is as bad as no commitment at all."
Sound familiar? Yeah, that is what I thought too.
I most certainly appreciate all of you, my friends, who are such good examples of keeping commitments. A lot of your commitments involve my own, so we are in this together. Thanks for pulling your weight here. Too bad we aren't the majority.
What is with people that they can just decide to "be done" with something they have committed to do when it suddenly involves a little more effort or work?! Is there no sense of responsibility or purpose in finishing a task?!
Yes, these can be considered rhetorical questions. Just answer them to yourselves, unless you want to leave a comment with your side of this conversation.
Years ago, about this same time of year, people might have blamed a little illness called "Senioritis". But none of the suspects of late are anywhere near the HS Senior bracket.
In this article I read, author Sarah Ingram Westerberg writes " In an increasing flaky world, it seems that the word commitment has been progressively modified such that, in many contexts, it no longer resembles what it used to mean. More and more I hear people seeking to justify breaking a commitment. They say ' I have to so what is right for me' or 'I am just too tired' or, especially, 'I am just too busy.' We hear people talk of the casual, partial, or half-hearted commitment. But anything less than complete, absolute, or total commitment is as bad as no commitment at all."
Sound familiar? Yeah, that is what I thought too.
I most certainly appreciate all of you, my friends, who are such good examples of keeping commitments. A lot of your commitments involve my own, so we are in this together. Thanks for pulling your weight here. Too bad we aren't the majority.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Something's Gotta Give
When I was a girl, there was a song on the radio that I liked a lot. It is "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce. Part of the bridge keeps coming to mind. It says:
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Yesterday, I had what started out as a fairly clear day on the calendar. It ended up anything but that. But as I was winding up the day I realized that if we did everything we are "supposed" to do, whether out of guilt or health or covenant or choice, we'd run out of time a lot sooner than things to fill that time.
That made me think, Why would God give us too many things to do everyday?
The answer came in one word: Priorities.
Everyone has the same amount of time--24 hours a day. But we sure don't use them the same. We, each of us, has to choose which things to do in that time frame. We get to determine what is most important and then "choose the better part".
But even that is easier said than done.
I'm not complaining, however, having so many options for my 24 hours is overwhelming. Sometimes, so is the guilt.
*Squaring shoulders and setting chin*
Today I will choose for myself and put the guilt out of my thoughts. At least, I'll try that today.
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
Yesterday, I had what started out as a fairly clear day on the calendar. It ended up anything but that. But as I was winding up the day I realized that if we did everything we are "supposed" to do, whether out of guilt or health or covenant or choice, we'd run out of time a lot sooner than things to fill that time.
That made me think, Why would God give us too many things to do everyday?
The answer came in one word: Priorities.
Everyone has the same amount of time--24 hours a day. But we sure don't use them the same. We, each of us, has to choose which things to do in that time frame. We get to determine what is most important and then "choose the better part".
But even that is easier said than done.
I'm not complaining, however, having so many options for my 24 hours is overwhelming. Sometimes, so is the guilt.
*Squaring shoulders and setting chin*
Today I will choose for myself and put the guilt out of my thoughts. At least, I'll try that today.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Lessons from Columbine
Yesterday I gave in and was listening to talk radio again, and the topic that hour was the anniversary of the Columbine massacre in Littleton, Colorado ten years ago. 13 people were killed by two students and the entire country held its breath as we watched the TV coverage in terror in 1999.Columbine was not the first, and it certainly hasn't been the last tragedy at a school, but it definitely put into place some new thinking about safety at public schools.
What caught my ear was this: The talk show host asked, Do you feel safer now than 10 years ago? Do you feel your children are safer than 10 years ago?
Do I feel safer? I think so. I like to think most things are good, but I also recognize my need to do my part--whether that is being better aware of my surroundings or in being more proactive in diffusing trouble when I see it with kids or at school in general.
Do I feel my kids are safer? I feel that our teachers and administrators take things much more seriously than before, and act appropriately and will choose to err on the side of caution. "Better safe than sorry" was never more applicable. Sadly, I do feel that there are more evils in the world that my kids will have to face--directly or indirectly.
In fact, when I finally sat down to veg out and watch some TV last night, I pulled up yesterday's Oprah episode and it was some members of a state Task Force against cyber-crime against children. I listened only long enough to hear that the assistant attorney general, who was legally unable to show some of the photos that their group had recently confiscated from a child predator's computer, was going to describe them to the audience and the discussion will continue from there.
I didn't need to see them and I didn't need to hear about them. I am disgusted by just what is allowed to be reported by the media when these kind of lowlifes are apprehended. I also know that God will not allow those kind of evils to go unnoticed. His vengeance is far greater than whatever I would come up with , and longer lasting too. I didn't even watch or listen to more. I deleted the episode.
Am I hiding my head in the sand, wishing it would just go away? I don't think so. I am not denying that kind of hurt and evil is out there, but seeing it or hearing the description of it won't help me think better or people or given them the benefit of the doubt. Just the opposite, more likely.
I already have a highly reactive and quick "creepy sensor" that goes off more often than not. Maybe it is a bit cynical or suspicious of me to think that as often as I do, but I see enough kids and have known of enough hurt in the world I live in to know that these things are more and more prevalent.
As parents, teachers, and adults who care about children we have to step up and not be afraid to make waves. We have to stand up for those things that will help families and strengthen healthy relationships and protect innocence.
Do I feel safer?
I feel a lot more responsible for my own safety. I feel more cautious. I feel that I need to do everything I can to help my family and those around me. I don't think the "system"--whatever it may be at that moment--is going to be able to save us. We must do that ourselves, with faith in God and hope in the Savior.
Do I feel my kids are safer?
Sometimes, but I also feel the childhood they are having is radically different from the one I had. It has to be different. The world is not the same. Pervasive and damaging things can be brought into our home via the Internet or computer, TV or music, and no "bad" person is ever seen or noted. They need to be stronger in their own convictions to live the Gospel and do what is right. They have to be deliberate about choosing good friends and making good choices, far more than I ever was.
A lot of lessons were learned from the Columbine tragedy, but the world is still not a kind, loving, gentle place to be. And sadly, it probably never will be again. We are each responsible to do our part to make it better, and to protect ourselves from the less favorable bits. And it is only going to get worse, before it ever gets better.
But, as the times are more and more perilous, that is a good sign too. It shows the end is nearing and Christ will come again. We will survive whatever is thrown at us, in the end, if we can endure it in faith.
What caught my ear was this: The talk show host asked, Do you feel safer now than 10 years ago? Do you feel your children are safer than 10 years ago?
Do I feel safer? I think so. I like to think most things are good, but I also recognize my need to do my part--whether that is being better aware of my surroundings or in being more proactive in diffusing trouble when I see it with kids or at school in general.
Do I feel my kids are safer? I feel that our teachers and administrators take things much more seriously than before, and act appropriately and will choose to err on the side of caution. "Better safe than sorry" was never more applicable. Sadly, I do feel that there are more evils in the world that my kids will have to face--directly or indirectly.
In fact, when I finally sat down to veg out and watch some TV last night, I pulled up yesterday's Oprah episode and it was some members of a state Task Force against cyber-crime against children. I listened only long enough to hear that the assistant attorney general, who was legally unable to show some of the photos that their group had recently confiscated from a child predator's computer, was going to describe them to the audience and the discussion will continue from there.
I didn't need to see them and I didn't need to hear about them. I am disgusted by just what is allowed to be reported by the media when these kind of lowlifes are apprehended. I also know that God will not allow those kind of evils to go unnoticed. His vengeance is far greater than whatever I would come up with , and longer lasting too. I didn't even watch or listen to more. I deleted the episode.
Am I hiding my head in the sand, wishing it would just go away? I don't think so. I am not denying that kind of hurt and evil is out there, but seeing it or hearing the description of it won't help me think better or people or given them the benefit of the doubt. Just the opposite, more likely.
I already have a highly reactive and quick "creepy sensor" that goes off more often than not. Maybe it is a bit cynical or suspicious of me to think that as often as I do, but I see enough kids and have known of enough hurt in the world I live in to know that these things are more and more prevalent.
As parents, teachers, and adults who care about children we have to step up and not be afraid to make waves. We have to stand up for those things that will help families and strengthen healthy relationships and protect innocence.
Do I feel safer?
I feel a lot more responsible for my own safety. I feel more cautious. I feel that I need to do everything I can to help my family and those around me. I don't think the "system"--whatever it may be at that moment--is going to be able to save us. We must do that ourselves, with faith in God and hope in the Savior.
Do I feel my kids are safer?
Sometimes, but I also feel the childhood they are having is radically different from the one I had. It has to be different. The world is not the same. Pervasive and damaging things can be brought into our home via the Internet or computer, TV or music, and no "bad" person is ever seen or noted. They need to be stronger in their own convictions to live the Gospel and do what is right. They have to be deliberate about choosing good friends and making good choices, far more than I ever was.
A lot of lessons were learned from the Columbine tragedy, but the world is still not a kind, loving, gentle place to be. And sadly, it probably never will be again. We are each responsible to do our part to make it better, and to protect ourselves from the less favorable bits. And it is only going to get worse, before it ever gets better.
But, as the times are more and more perilous, that is a good sign too. It shows the end is nearing and Christ will come again. We will survive whatever is thrown at us, in the end, if we can endure it in faith.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
Alright! We are back to normal around here (whatever THAT is) today. We are getting up a little earlier, eating a little more regularly, and hopefully going to bed a bit easier. School is back on today!
Genius Golfer didn't have any vacation time so he was working all during the Spring Break, but he got to have lunch at home (seeing as he works 2 minutes' walk away) each day with kids. Now they are back into the school lunch plan and back to the standard operating procedure. Yahoooo!
The weather is finally agreeing with me--nearly 70 yesterday, and closing in on 80 by mid week. This was worth the 8 inches of snow last week. Too bad this weather wasn't here for Spring break, but this might be Mom's Revenge weather...for me to enjoy and you to go to school. we'll see how this week shapes up, and I'll keep you all posted. Happy Monday!
Genius Golfer didn't have any vacation time so he was working all during the Spring Break, but he got to have lunch at home (seeing as he works 2 minutes' walk away) each day with kids. Now they are back into the school lunch plan and back to the standard operating procedure. Yahoooo!
The weather is finally agreeing with me--nearly 70 yesterday, and closing in on 80 by mid week. This was worth the 8 inches of snow last week. Too bad this weather wasn't here for Spring break, but this might be Mom's Revenge weather...for me to enjoy and you to go to school. we'll see how this week shapes up, and I'll keep you all posted. Happy Monday!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Entertainment Extravaganza
The Girl and I spent yesterday afternoon at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake watching the Broadway tour company of Wicked. It was a fun show and very clever. We have enjoyed the music for a long time, and The Girl even had learned to play some of the songs on the piano. Genius Golfer got us season tickets last year for our birthdays just so we would be sure to get in for this show! It was fun, and very packed!
I got The Girl home and GG and I headed out to a hot date for our anniversary. We decided on a steakhouse dinner, so we hit Outback--which of course, is nothing like the food in Australia, but delicious nonetheless.
Then to top off the entertainment extravaganza, we checked out a newer megaplex and saw 17 Again. We laughed and giggled at this movie. It was a total brainless flick, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.Spring Break is over and everyone goes back on schedule tomorrow. Including walking to school and back...I need to kick start my summertime Pioneer Trek training program.
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