He Had a Dream

In pausing to remember Martin Luther King Jr. and what he stood for, I started thinking about where we are today. We are about to see our first (sorta) black president come into office. Ironic that it is happening the day after MLK Day. The most ridiculous amount of money has and is being spent-during a major recession mind you-to celebrate Obama's taking of office. I will admit that I voted for the other guy. I wasn't a huge fan of his either, but morally, he was a better fit for my beliefs. All through Bush's presidency I said, "people may not like him, but he is our president and for that reason we must get behind him so our nation does not divide." I won't be a hypocrite during Obama's presidency and will extend him the same courtesy so long as he earns it.

This is where today's thoughts have come into play. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous speech states, " I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." What are we doing with Obama? We're celebrating him simply because he's a darker shade of brown. We're honoring him and pouring out asinine amounts of money that our nation doesn't have on this "great brown hope." We are judging him on the color of his skin and political party he backs. I'm sorry but I judge a man on his content. I'd like to see what Obama does before I celebrate him. I'd like to see that he is someone Martin Luther King Jr. would've voted for because of the content of his character. I am excited to be alive during this time where a "black" man can take the office of President of the United States of America. We've come a long way. I just want him to be the right black man. Not one squeezed into office because the nation was desperate for change and saw the opportunity to be a part of making history. Hitler made history too. No, I'm not comparing the two, I'm just saying.

We will NEVER, EVER, EVER come close to understanding the decisions a president has to make and what decisions President Bush had to make. A president is like a parent. His children (the nation) may not always like him and view him as their friend, but he sees the danger, the bigger picture. His job is to protect and defend, not win a popularity contest. A good president makes the difficult and often unpopular choices to do what's best for the country. Obama is about to learn that leading an entire nation is not black and white-no pun intended. So before I celebrate his very existence, I'd like to see what he's going to do. Right now, he hasn't done anything.

I will honor Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream in the way I live my life and judge others. I will give a chance (I don't have to be thrilled about it) to the man I did not vote into office. And whatever he does in the next four years, I will judge based on the content of his character and not the color of his skin. I hope he proves worthy of the faith this nation has already placed in him.

Home, unsmelly home & a pre-review

We're home. I had my fill of broccoli and sleeping on the floor.

So, here's what's in the works. I am in the midst of reading a few different books for review:

Last Child in the Woods by: Richard Louv
The Center of Winter by: Marya Hornbacher

There are some others that I'm sort of reading/ previewing. I can only read so many books at once and organize my thoughts about each one. Besides, I'd hate to discuss a specific part in a book and realize it wasn't really in that one. So far, I like "Last Child in the Woods." I do recall as a child, playing outside all day until my parents dragged me in. I remember climbing trees and collecting frogs. I also have some embarrassing memories of me doing full (one woman acts, mind you) movie scenes in the backyard on our lawn. Hands stretched wide, I belted out songs from "The Sound of Music" and wore the perfect Maid Marion dress for my adventures with Robin Hood. I should add that when I pictured myself as Maid Marion and imagined my Robin, we were both foxes, like in the cartoon version. "Last Child in the Woods" discuses how today's children are suffering from Nature-Deficit Disorder which has caused childhood obesity to sore and higher rates of ADD and other such disorders, resulting in an abundance of medicated children. I totally agree! I don't remember ever complaining about being bored when I was growing up. Yet today, with all the technology and BIGGER and MORE toys and activities, kids are bored and some quite lazy and disrespectful. I'm not saying it's all a lack of simple, peaceful outdoor time but its absence sure hasn't helped.

Now that my sermon is finished, I will continue my reading and write a full length review (perhaps with a few sneak peeks along the way) when I'm finished.

A Stinky Situation

So here we are...the old house. I have to say it's SO nice to be closer to everything again. All of our neighbors have been really welcoming and sharing how it's nice to have us close, even for just a short while. We slept on couch cushions last night, on the floor. The one cat we brought is confused and meowed all night on and off. But honestly, I have never been so comfortable in my life! Those cushions with a feather filled blanket thrown over them, make the most awesome bed ever! I knocked out most of the cleaning in the kitchen and one bathroom today. I got the master bedroom cleaned last night before we slept in it. Not bad, if I do say so myself.

The only problem we have run into is, THE SMELL! The house has been sitting for a while without being aired out and oops (hee hee) I accidentally left a Tupperware filled with cooked broccoli in the refrigerator (covered with tin foil because I couldn't find the "real" cover, of course). It's been like five months. The smell is still lingering a bit. You'd be surprised how much broccoli can be the gift that keeps on giving (in so many ways:)

Hopefully we'll be finished soon. It's hard to be inspired to write with a rancid broccoli cloud hovering above. Wish us luck, something tells me we're going to need it:)

In a Slump of Repetitivness

I'm finding that my biggest problem in life seems to go something like this: We decided to move somewhere, I keep busy with boxing everything up. I'm excited to find things I forgot I had and can't wait to be "more" (I use that word so generously) organized in the new place. The boxing is good for me because it allows me to be a bit OCD and is a seemingly, never-ending project to take up my abundance of hyperactivity. Then we move. Another project ensues as I empty the boxes. I'm more excited now because it's all new and I love decorating and figuring out the best way for everything to fit into a room without taking away the spaciousness. Hubby and I are also kinda HGTV junkies. We love all the house search and renovation shows.

Then I get bored. Now please don't take this as a lack of thankfulness or a total discontentment with life. I just get antsy with routine. Perhaps it's the ADHD or just my artistic side but routine drives me BATTY! This is where I'm at right now. I get into a funk because I need something new and challenging and so I feel stuck. Then, I shut down.

I've been racking my brain on how I can change this situation for myself. Often we will get away for the weekend but that doesn't seem likely right now. I was thinking (and praying) and finally the solution hit me last night in bed as I lay listening to the lingering cough of my sleeping child. We still have the house in Alpine and it needs to be cleaned out and fixed up to sell. Why not stay there for a week or two? I can have a project, working on the house and be close to town. I am going a little nuts up here. So that's what we're doing later today. Sure, there's no furniture but hey, we're pioneers. And some time without TV is always a good thing. I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Hopefully I'll have lots of time to read (I can't do a book review on my website if I don't finish a book:) and write.

Footnote-Hi Vanessa.

Project 09'

I am starting a new writing project on January 1st. It's a hands on experiment of sorts and I will be living (and journaling) it for six months. I know this is incredibly vague but it's all you're getting for now. Stay tuned for many new writing endeavours in 2009. I have many ideas I've been putting off and I plan on making 2009 a writing year.

Imagine

Imagine a time long ago, the promise of a savior inside you to grow. Created to be mother to God's only son. Imagine if you were the chosen one. Imagine how hard it was to trust in God's plan. How blind faith must sometimes be when we don't understand. Imagine having to hold on to faith, when you would rather run, risking life's comfort and dignity for the salvation of everyone. Imagine how Mary must have felt like an ordinary girl, not good enough to bring the King of Kings into this world. Imagine how God came to her and said, "you know my will is best." And how she stood before him and said, "Lord my answer's yes." Think of the purpose every child's life holds and the prayers attached to each one. Think if your child's purpose was to die. If the world's redemption lay in the sacrifice of your son. Think of a father's sorrow and joy, felt at his only son's birth. Think how God gave with each one of us in mind and the price he thought we were worth. Never forget the way Mary obeyed or the first present given on Christmas Day. Remember every day of the year, to share with others why we are here. Remember we all have heartache and troubles but quitting is such a waste. We should spend our times helping others, as God helps us, we should be sharing His grace. Most important of all remember this, always let God's light shine through your eyes, for I'd hate hate to think that you turned your back on an angel in disguise. (C) J.L. 2008

What day is it?

Our Christmas party was a success. The tables were pretty, the food was yummy (although I didn't really eat any of it until today), and the people were lovely. Almost every child was hacking and snotting) I have a theory that it was part cold and part elevation change....yes, let's go with that. I am extremely tired today but for good reasons. Santa made a surprise visit and had presents for all the kids. And my party favor baskets went over nicely. I think everyone felt blessed. The only things to change for next year? Hire a maid to clean the house the week of and have the party catered:) Oh yes, and strike oil to pay for the above mentioned.

We missed those that were unable to make it but we'll have tea and crumpets soon. No seriously, I got a new teapot that I REALLY want to use.

I'll try and post party pictures soon.