Christmas is six days away.
Unlike many others I am sitting here not caring about shopping.
I have bought only a few gifts. I have made most of what I want to give.
People keep asking me when am I going to get it together. My answer is simple I have it together.
I am not running out to buy gifts so people can say I got just what they want. I am going to spend time which is more valuable than any gift I could buy. I don't want to fight traffic, pushing and shoving in the stores or go deeply in debt.
My fondest memories of Christmas have always been of time spent with family and friends. My parents and grandmother always managed to take in the soldiers who did not have family. We opened our home and even had some small gift to make them feel part of the celebration. It was not about the cost of the gift but more about fellowship.
As my kids were growing up we did not celebrate the season way I would have loved. My ex is Muslim so my beliefs were not really celebrated. Of course we decorated a tree and exchanged presents. The big part missing was the celebration of Christ. We still managed to share our home with others who had no where to go.
I am looking forward to is spending time with my kids and mother. My son is hosting Christmas. I have to make two items for that. Time to relax and catch up with each other. We are all so busy and it will be a great time to celebrate the season. I want to start new traditions with my children and their families.
Friday, December 19, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The rights of others versus your rights
I am sitting in my room in my home. My doors and windows are closed.
You think I would only hear the sounds that are coming from the television. No, it is much louder than that.
At this moment and for the past 2 hours, I have heard the base of someones music in the neighborhood.
We have become a society in which our rights supersede the rights of others around. No matter how disturbing what we are doing can be.
Music permeates the privates spaces of strangers with little regard.
In traffic we want to be first at the exit even if we are in the wrong lane.
We crush each other for material objects on black Friday. These objects (especially toys) will be cast aside within a month of being opened.
As we become more and more attached to our smartphones, we become less concerned about who hears our conversations. Our ringers and notifications are enough to drive others crazy. We do not even talk with each other anymore.
We all long for technology but at what expense? We and yes that includes myself, spend hours on Facebook and less time with those we care about.
I honestly cannot remember the last time we sat at a table as a family without the television.
Our children do not know what education, gratitude, respect, suffering, having a true parent and not a friend is like. We have given too much and created a monster. This monster is supposedly going to take care of us in our old age.
My question to everyone, Is it worth it? Is it worth the direction we are moving in as the dumbest nation in the world? Is it worth being called a dead society?
You think I would only hear the sounds that are coming from the television. No, it is much louder than that.
At this moment and for the past 2 hours, I have heard the base of someones music in the neighborhood.
We have become a society in which our rights supersede the rights of others around. No matter how disturbing what we are doing can be.
Music permeates the privates spaces of strangers with little regard.
In traffic we want to be first at the exit even if we are in the wrong lane.
We crush each other for material objects on black Friday. These objects (especially toys) will be cast aside within a month of being opened.
As we become more and more attached to our smartphones, we become less concerned about who hears our conversations. Our ringers and notifications are enough to drive others crazy. We do not even talk with each other anymore.
We all long for technology but at what expense? We and yes that includes myself, spend hours on Facebook and less time with those we care about.
I honestly cannot remember the last time we sat at a table as a family without the television.
Our children do not know what education, gratitude, respect, suffering, having a true parent and not a friend is like. We have given too much and created a monster. This monster is supposedly going to take care of us in our old age.
My question to everyone, Is it worth it? Is it worth the direction we are moving in as the dumbest nation in the world? Is it worth being called a dead society?
The season is the reason
As I sit here and watch the Hallmark channel, I keep thinking the reason for the season has become lost.
Yes, I am one of those adults who believe in not only the holy spirit but the magic of the season. A few days ago I felt this magic of the season. I have been so stressed trying to work, make my business grow and take my finals for the semester. I kept hearing people say to me that I better get to shopping before it is too late. I don't shop like that anymore. Several years ago I hit my worst. I was getting my divorce and moved into my moms extremely crowded home. I had packed up all my possessions and put them in storage. I was quitting my job and starting a new career path and going back to school. I had nothing but myself to give. So that is what I gave. Each year since I have focused on being with my family that wants to participate. I have made gifts that will definitely last longer than anything I could buy. So I really am way ahead on the season. For every minute that I spend creating a special gift or cooking a holiday meal I am giving of myself. I believe I am blessed. I don't need to have a bunch of gifts. I don't have to give a bunch of gifts. What I must do is share my love and gifts that God has given me.
In the spirit of the season I say create something more magical than any gift you can buy. Start a tradition. Gather together in fellowship and celebrate the life of our lord and savior.
Yes, I am one of those adults who believe in not only the holy spirit but the magic of the season. A few days ago I felt this magic of the season. I have been so stressed trying to work, make my business grow and take my finals for the semester. I kept hearing people say to me that I better get to shopping before it is too late. I don't shop like that anymore. Several years ago I hit my worst. I was getting my divorce and moved into my moms extremely crowded home. I had packed up all my possessions and put them in storage. I was quitting my job and starting a new career path and going back to school. I had nothing but myself to give. So that is what I gave. Each year since I have focused on being with my family that wants to participate. I have made gifts that will definitely last longer than anything I could buy. So I really am way ahead on the season. For every minute that I spend creating a special gift or cooking a holiday meal I am giving of myself. I believe I am blessed. I don't need to have a bunch of gifts. I don't have to give a bunch of gifts. What I must do is share my love and gifts that God has given me.
In the spirit of the season I say create something more magical than any gift you can buy. Start a tradition. Gather together in fellowship and celebrate the life of our lord and savior.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Well Behaved and Misbehaving Kids in Public
Today we decided to have breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Yeah, I know what you are going to say that place is crowded on Sunday. It was and the wait time was supposed to be 25 minutes (was actually more like 40). The food was great and the fire going in the fireplace. Something I love on a rainy dreary, cold day.
As we were finally seated, I noticed that behind me were two groups of screaming kids. The children varied in ages from infant up to about six. These kids were not only screaming but also moving around as the wait staff was trying to serve. Where are the parents as this happened you ask? It just so happens that they were sitting right there with the kids. One parent was their phone texting or playing a game. (Who knows) The other group was arguing with the child. When are we going to stop trying to be our kids friends? For both groups I say you are the reason the world is going to hell in a hand basket. You want to be so popular in your own home that you do not see the damage you are doing to the rest of society. These little citizens will grow up to be out of control adults. Right now this is what we are dealing with in present time.
There is a good story in this breakfast outing. After being there for a while two families sat down to my right and in front of me. These are real parents. The children were told what they were allowed to order and told they had to wait. Imagine this telling your kids what was going to happen and not allowing them to tell you. Novel concept. Being a parent. In this day and time it is becoming a rare species.
You ask how can I say this. When my children were younger we not only went to restaurants but also traveled. They were never allowed to dictate to me our my then husband. My ex was different in his parenting style. He was and still is a push over. I may not have been the popular parent. My oldest son informed me just last week that I was a bad parent. But I did what we are supposed to do. Raise our children to be good citizens.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Be prepared
I am really amazed by the lack of preparedness in adults today.
In class today my fellow students were given a project to complete. This is the third time that they have been given the same assignment. I completed said assignment a month ago and turned it in as well. The excuses were no time. This came from a stay at home mother. The other student did the assignment but brought the wrong copy. The lack of preparedness is holding the class back. It is holding me back. The instructor has been accused of targeting one student and embarrassing her. This is a student who is lazy. We are in a college program. We are supposed to be adults. We are supposed to be professionals in our fields. How can you expect to teach a skill if you cannot do the skill. If you can't do it why not research.
In my observation class:
There are a few students who are never prepared. They do not have the basic supplies. No pens. No paper. They do not turn assignments in on time and don't care about grades. They do not study for test or assignments. Worst of all they complain about having clients in the lab. How are you supposed to perfect the craft if you cannot perform the service?
The biggest part of all of this is why did you bother with the class if you did not want to do the work?
In class today my fellow students were given a project to complete. This is the third time that they have been given the same assignment. I completed said assignment a month ago and turned it in as well. The excuses were no time. This came from a stay at home mother. The other student did the assignment but brought the wrong copy. The lack of preparedness is holding the class back. It is holding me back. The instructor has been accused of targeting one student and embarrassing her. This is a student who is lazy. We are in a college program. We are supposed to be adults. We are supposed to be professionals in our fields. How can you expect to teach a skill if you cannot do the skill. If you can't do it why not research.
In my observation class:
There are a few students who are never prepared. They do not have the basic supplies. No pens. No paper. They do not turn assignments in on time and don't care about grades. They do not study for test or assignments. Worst of all they complain about having clients in the lab. How are you supposed to perfect the craft if you cannot perform the service?
The biggest part of all of this is why did you bother with the class if you did not want to do the work?
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Good Rant of the day
I have ranted about so many negatives but wanted to rant about a positive.
Life is good. Life is something that should be lived to the fullest. I know this now. I the past few years I have grown so much. I have done things I never thought that I would do or see. I have actually lived my life. Much more is in the works. I have so much to do, see and experience.
Life is good. Life is something that should be lived to the fullest. I know this now. I the past few years I have grown so much. I have done things I never thought that I would do or see. I have actually lived my life. Much more is in the works. I have so much to do, see and experience.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
McDonald's employees seeking higher wages
In a Facebook post today it was mentioned that McDonald's employees are wanting to make $15 an hour. This would be an annual salary of $32,000. A private in the military only makes $18,000 and a Sargent $35,000.
So what these employees are saying is that they deserve to make more than those that are sacrificing their lives every day for the security of our country.
They are also saying that they deserve to make more than I do per hour. I went to school and have worked for 20 years in this industry. I moved home when I could not make it. Not that I believe that everyone can or will do this. I did what I did to make it in my situation.
But another way of looking at the situation is that these employees are not concerned with the financial state of our nation. Thankfully in our city (Houston) we are having less of an issue with unemployment and cuts of city services. If the minimum wage goes up to say fifteen dollars then that would mean it would take even more to make ends meet. Using their precious McDonald's as an example: they pay the employees fifteen dollars an hour, they have to pay the managers twenty-five, and they in turn will have to pay suppliers double. In turn the consumer may or may not get a pay adjustment based on the minimum wage. This means that demand will go down. There is a circle that will continue to form until this secnerio will play out in all businesses and thus a financial crisis.
So what these employees are saying is that they deserve to make more than those that are sacrificing their lives every day for the security of our country.
They are also saying that they deserve to make more than I do per hour. I went to school and have worked for 20 years in this industry. I moved home when I could not make it. Not that I believe that everyone can or will do this. I did what I did to make it in my situation.
But another way of looking at the situation is that these employees are not concerned with the financial state of our nation. Thankfully in our city (Houston) we are having less of an issue with unemployment and cuts of city services. If the minimum wage goes up to say fifteen dollars then that would mean it would take even more to make ends meet. Using their precious McDonald's as an example: they pay the employees fifteen dollars an hour, they have to pay the managers twenty-five, and they in turn will have to pay suppliers double. In turn the consumer may or may not get a pay adjustment based on the minimum wage. This means that demand will go down. There is a circle that will continue to form until this secnerio will play out in all businesses and thus a financial crisis.
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