Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2018

Love > Hate

Love > Hate
Thursday, March 8, 2018
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I've been slowly putting together this post over the last few weeks partly because I didn't know 100% on what I wanted to all put into it because to me there is just so much I could say, but mostly because I just haven't had time. Between being slammed at work (read: our receptionist/legal secretary walked out) all the home VGK games which kept Wayne busy and me being a single parent most nights, putting our beloved 11 year old cocker spaniel, Puckett, down after him being sick for 3 weeks, Disneyland with the family and just life in general.

I just haven't had much time for this little space as I had hoped for this year so far.

But back to the topic of this post because I am still seeing various things in which I want to touch and write about.




I've seen a lot of various responses from people over the last few weeks when someone, like me, brings up even the topic of gun reform and the hope of one day seeing some sort of gun reform talk be STARTED. Some sort of change. I am not naive to the fact that it's not going to happen overnight and that it will not solve or fix all the gun problems or violence in this country. There are way too many issues for that.

But when I say Nevada has little to no gun law. That scares me. When I know there is no state to state gun law. That scares me. When you can buy guns at a gun show or online and there is no regulation or registration for that.

And I am not saying I am the most knowledgeable about guns or laws, but that shouldn't matter if you are or not. You should still want gun regulation.

Instead I hear:

"Let's just love one another."

"If people were more accepting of other's, than things like this wouldn't happen."

"Gun reform isn't going to change anything."

"Guns are not the problem, _________ is." Insert another excuse.

Now let me preface this with saying, I agree. In a perfect world we would all love each other and be more accepting of others, there would also be no poor people, no hungry people, no homeless, everyone would be able to be their authentic selves without getting ridiculed for it. The list goes on and on.

But to me the one constant from these people that I keep hearing these GOD DAMN excuses from are people who voted for Trump and support someone who is the epitome of hate and nonacceptance. Someone whose main goal is to stir the pot and make sure it's being stirred on a daily basis.

Some of these people also support a Vice President who believes that "conversion therapy" ACTUALLY works. Really? We're back to that?

I don't like to lump all Conservatives into one basket. Just like I don't like it when someone lumps all Democrats into one basket.

But I cannot support a political party who doesn't support the LGBTQ community. A political party who supports white supremacist groups. Who still use words like fa**ot and ni**er. To me THOSE things are what are driving this country into the ground. In no way shape or form is that "Making America Great Again."

How can you preach all those inclusive things when the very people you are supporting are the exact opposite of love and acceptance?

Don't tell me that if the shooter wasn't white, then the excuses would be ISIS or religion or whatever else you can pin it on. It's always an excuse.

Preaching love and acceptance, but then not really supporting it in the real world or calling someone out on their bullshit when using derogatory words like that because it's all just in fun. I have people in my own family that still use those words and have this way of thinking. Don't think that they don't know how I feel about it. They do.



Talking about humanization and how people relate to each other, but then not being accepting of someone for who they really are and supporting an agenda that tears people down instead of lifting people up.

I say you look in the mirror. What are you doing to help with that?

Thursday, February 15, 2018

I'd Be Lying

I'd Be Lying
Thursday, February 15, 2018
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I'd be lying if I didn't say that the mass school shooting this week didn't affect me differently than it ever has before. I first got the alert on my phone through FB as some of the news stations in town were picking it up. I login to FB and pull it up on my work computer. I watch the news footage as they don't have the shooter apprehended yet. He was still "at large." My stomach dropped.

It comes out that it is a student, later to be found out he was an ex-student. Shortly thereafter he was taken into custody in a nearby neighborhood. Not even on campus anymore.

As they are showing various footage of the hospitals and outside the school campus, the news stations start interviewing the kids as they are coming out and parents as they are picking up their children after this horrible event.

As a parent I can't even imagine what was going through their minds. Some of them getting texts from their children while at work saying "the school is on lockdown, but I am safe."

Followed by "I'm scared, Mom." or "I love you, Dad."


I hope I never receive a text like that from either of my kids (or anyone I know for that matter). My wish would be that no parent ever has to receive some sort of text like that. I know my Husband went through some version of this with me on October 1st. He also prays that no one has to go through what he went in his position of having a loved one on the other side of this.

The scenes that some of these kids...just KIDS...were describing were the same types of scenes for me at Route 91. Running past bodies, not really knowing if they were dead or alive. So much blood. The sound of gunfire, crying, screaming and yelling. The mixed feelings of being scared and hopeless and then total confusion and shock of what you have just witnessed and went through.

My heart aches for these children and adults alike that had to experience what I experienced. For those people that have experienced it in the past and for those that will experience it in the future because as sad is it is, it will happen again. I never would wish anything like this on anyone.

Not only is it a mass shooting, that in and of itself is scary and heart wrenching, but then on top of that to be at a school.

A parent sent their child off to school that day not knowing that they would never see them again.

A spouse sent their significant other off to work that day not knowing that they would never see them again.

To be honest, you don't have to be a parent and be outraged. You should be outraged no matter what that this keeps happening. They all use the same gun. Literally google the phrase "what gun did the shooter use" and it will be the AR-15. If this is the same gun people keep using over and over again, why has nothing been done? People just throw their hands in the air like it's no big deal.

I just don't get it.

And to be more honest...I'm sick of the "thoughts and prayers" response. I'm sick of the "our nation needs to come together in this time of crisis" response. I'm sick of the "it's too early to talk about guns and gun reform." No. It's not. Because you can't tell me that it's not going to happen again. All I hear when people say that shit is BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. I've heard it all before and I will hear it all again. At some point it falls on deaf ears.

Words at this point mean NOTHING. Absolutely NOTHING to me.

 And let me tell you...people that are pro gun reform don't want to TAKE AWAY ALL YOUR GUNS and if you think that then get out of your own damn head and into someone else's that has been through this shit firsthand. Have a fucking conversation about it and talk. Don't just revert to the 2nd Amendment and it's my right...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.



And is this the solution to it all? No. This is just one step in a fucked up system that needs to be changed. But we have to start somewhere. We can't just throw our hands up in the air anymore and "pray" about it and "think" about it and continue to make EXCUSES for NOT DOING ANYTHING.
Friday, January 5, 2018

Roomba by iRobot

Roomba by iRobot
Friday, January 5, 2018
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So this year for Black Friday I had been eyeing a robotic vacuum. I kinda knew what I was looking for, but nothing super specific. Well, Target had just what I was looking for on sale on Black Friday. My sister Amie was in town, so on Thanksgiving night we went to Target at about 7pm thinking there would be total chaos, and there wasn't. The Target right by our house was totally organized and we were in and out with no long lines or anything.


I had put it out on the interwebs that I was thinking about getting one and I had so many people tell me beforehand that it would be such a game changer and let me tell you it is!!! It seriously is so great, especially with our 5 dogs. I have the app on my phone and can start it or stop it from that. It runs for about an hour or so and can run up to once a day.


I can also check to see how many minutes its been running and when it's done and on it's way back home to the dock.


It also tells me when it's stuck.


I love it so much and would totally recommend getting one!!
Monday, January 1, 2018

My Word for 2018

My Word for 2018
Monday, January 1, 2018
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I haven't done this in a few years, but one of my goals this year is to get back to blogging more regularly. So I decided what better way to start the year off than to pick a word. There is one word that has been continuously coming back to me and that is ............


This word has had so much meaning to me the last few months and I decided I want to carry that into 2018. STRONG has so many variations and meanings for me now:

Head STRONG

Mentally STRONG

Emotionally STRONG

Physically STRONG

Friendship STRONG

Relationship STRONG

Mom STRONG

Vegas STRONG

All around STRONG.

With everything that has happened the last few months, being mentally and emotionally strong has been a top priority for me.

I know that not everyone that survived 1 October has support like I do. I have an amazing and supportive Husband and two kids that need and depend on me. They were my driving force that night and continue to be my motivation every day.

I have friendships that I cherish very much and want to continue to grow. I have this blog that has always been an outlet for me that I want to continue.

My relationship with my Husband is number 1 and I want to continue to have date nights and take time for just us.

I have really been lacking on working out and taking care of my body. It is something I really need to focus on this year.

With all that being said, I really feel like STRONG is the best word for me this year. It just fits every aspect of my life right now. Let's make 2018 the STRONGest year yet!
Wednesday, October 26, 2016

What's Up Wednesday {Ten Twenty Six Sixteen}

What's Up Wednesday {Ten Twenty Six Sixteen}
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
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What we are eating this week...
I made tacos late last week, so we try and use the rest of the taco meat and make nachos or have a taco salad. Just another way to enjoy tacos!

I also made tater-tot hotdish on Monday and have been eating off of that all week.

We are going out to dinner with a friend at Hard Rock Café to Culinary Drop-Out tonight. It's one of our fave places in Vegas.

I really need to get back on Pinterest and look at some new recipes. I've been in a food rut lately.

What I'm reminiscing about...
Griffin has grown up so much in the last couple months. Especially, with him starting at daycare (we call it school) at the end of July. He is learning some sign language, which has been fun and nice for communicating. I want Griff to be able to communicate better, but I also want him to stay my little guy forever.

Hailey, too, with her starting Kindergarten at the end of August. She is really learning how to spell and read and it just amazes me how fast they pick things up.

It's so bitter-sweet having them grow-up. Now I know how my parents feel about me. 

What I'm loving...
The cooler temps coming to Las Vegas. I can finally wear leggings and boots. It finally feels like Fall.

What we've been up to...
It's been a busy one...iHeart Festival at the end of September, Route 91 at the beginning of October, Wayne's last minute eye surgery, Green Gramma staying with us, Weston's birthday party, Griffin's hernia surgery, Keith Urban. Uffda. So busy, but not complaining AT ALL!

What I'm dreading...
It's getting darker earlier and earlier. I don't like it. I dislike Christmas shopping, too. I like giving gifts and watching people open them, but I just don't like the actual activity of going to stores and buying stuff and wrapping them. I usually resort to gift cards and stick them in a card. Call me lazy, that's fine. I LOVE getting gift cards. I know some people hate it, but you know what? It's better than nothing, right?

What I'm working on...
Trying to get my pictures on lock down, off my phone, uploaded to FB. Also, blog posts up.

What I'm excited about...
We are going to Disneyland in mid-November and we couldn't be MORE excited. Wayne is broadcasting live from there for the first weekend of Christmas. We are not telling Hailey until we get there. She is going to freak!!

Any tips or tricks you have for going with a 5 year old and a 16 month old would be wonderful!

Also, we have plans to go home to Minnesota for Christmas. Which we are equally excited for, too!

What I'm watching/reading...
Other than blogs, I am not reading much. I am watching a lot though. It seems like a lot, but I usually have it on in the background while I'm cleaning or cooking dinner or in the middle of the night, too, when I'm up with Griffin.

Secrets and Lies
This Is Us
Chicago Fire
Chicago Med
Chicago PD
Blindspot
Blacklist
How to Get Away with Murder
Ben & Lauren

We also watch WWE in our house and NFL football.

Wayne and I are in the middle of The Ranch on Netflix.

What I'm listening to...
While I'm at work, I listen to iHeart Radio through my computer. Usually 95.5 The Bull. That's usually what I listen to in the car, too. Otherwise, I have the music on and I'm chatting with Hailey after school when I pick her up.

What I'm wearing...
More cold weather pieces. Closed toed shoes, leggings, tunics and boots! I'm in desperate need of some new winter pieces, but we'll see.

What I'm doing this weekend...
As I mentioned, tonight we are meeting a friend for dinner, Thursday night Hailey has a game night at school, Friday evening Griffin has a Halloween party at his school, Wayne scored more premiere tickets to the movie Trolls for Saturday. Him and Hailey went last Saturday morning, but he got passes for this Saturday, so I might take Hailey again this Saturday. We still haven't gotten any pumpkins or Halloween candy to hand out, so we have to get that done at some point, too. I can't believe Halloween is on Monday already and it's almost November.

What I'm looking forward to next month...
November is Disney and Gilmore Girls month!!

What else is new...
Nothing new with me.

Wayne got a left cornea transplant 3 weeks ago. He is still healing with that. It's been rough and painful and he has a long ways to go, but we are trying to take it day by day and week by week.

Griffin had hernia surgery last week and he is all recovered from that. He's had 3 ear infections within the last 2 months, so his pediatrician has referred us to an ENT.

Hailey is great. She is still loving school and her teacher and her friends. I am anxiously waiting for her Kindergarten pictures to come back.

So that's about it for now. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

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