It's all in the hat

Wow. Who knew crazy hats were so big among royalty and their pals? I am torn as to which hat I find the most hideous. I'd probably have the go for the first hat, the "I sprouted a misshapen Unicorn horn out of my forehead that grew into a bow" hat. Perhaps she was trying to draw attention away form her horrid raccoon eyes. But then I came across the bright blue boat, or "I took my daughter's Barbie boat and glued it onto my head" hat. These ladies get off so easy over in England. We tear apart our celebrities on the red carpet because of what they wear and how their make-up and hair are styled, but all one has to do in England is wear an insanely large funky hat and no one will pay attention to her clothes, hair, or make-up. Smart move.

So which hat is your favorite? I'm leaning towards the mutant unicorn horn after all.

Taking it a little too far

Some people really do have too much time on their hands. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised about the following story in San Francisco as it is IN San Francisco, but I can't help to show a little shock. Do these people have nothing better to do with themselves?

A group opposed to male circumcision said on Tuesday they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify a proposal to ban the practice in San Francisco as a ballot measure for November elections.

The leading proponent of a ban, Lloyd Schofield, 59, acknowledged circumcision is widely socially accepted but he said it should still be outlawed.

"It's excruciatingly painful and permanently damaging surgery that's forced on men when they're at their weakest and most vulnerable," he told Reuters.

His group submitted about 12,000 signatures supporting his proposed ban, said Rachel Gosiengfiao, campaign services manager for the city's Department of Elections. The agency has 30 days to verify the petitions. He needs 7,200 valid signatures to qualify.

Dude, butt out. You can be against circumcision and that is fine. You are entitled to your own opinion. But don't start pushing your views on other people. Seriously. No one is forcing you to get circumcised and, if you already have been circumcised, then you're done. As far as I know, one only has to go through it once. So what is the big deal? Really, you want to pass a law against it? Why is this any of your business whether or not people decide to do it or not? I could understand your anger if it was mandatory, but it's not. Why not use all your energy toward eradicating something truly horrid from the world, like castration both of men and women. Talk about painful and damaging.

To be a teenager again

Today's "Zits" made me laugh because it is so true. I'm only 32 and I've already noticed things affect me differently than they used to when I was younger. I remember getting together with my friends, sharing a pizza sized chocolate chip cookie, chips, pop, candy, and whatever else we could think of. And did our bodies protest at all? No! Never! I did not bother with multiple vitamins or low carb, low sugar, and low fat food. Now the only kind of pop I can drink is diet as regular is too sugary. If I eat any delectable dessert too rich in dairy, my stomach complains. And I can throw back maybe 1/8 of the food I once was able to, but I wouldn't dream of it because of the danger it may do to my waistline. My iron stomach and speedy metabolism are about the only thing I miss from being a teenager. That and sleeping in peace without small children interrupting my dreams.

Happy 7th Rachel!

Sweet Miss Rachel turned 7 today! I cannot believe it's been 7 years. I remember the night she was born a tornado had ripped through Illinois. We joked that it was Rachel coming to earth as her delivery was fast and she has been full of personality ever since! I love this girl, her tender side, quiet ways, and independence. She is not afraid to be herself and like all that she likes.

This birthday was a Lego birthday. She got Lego Star Wars jammies and Lego Star Wars 3 for the Wii from us. From my dad and step mom she got a Lego Pharaoh's Quest set. And money for more Legos from her other grandparents. Not to mention more Lego sets from friends. Plus we had a Lego Batman head cake. We love Legos! Rachel declared this was the best birthday ever, so I think the day was a hit!

Presents!

Lego Flying Mummy Attack from Grandpa and Grammy Usner


Lego Batman head cake

Tired?

Jacob is in that tough toddler phase where he still needs a nap, but when he naps he won't go to bed on time and stays up late. So the past few days he has not had a nap, partly due to schedules and also because I want him to go to bed on time.

This afternoon I was upstairs taking out my contacts and putting my glasses on when Mr. Jacob started crying for me at the bottom of the stairs. He's gotten into this habit where he thinks he can't walk up or down the stairs and needs to be held. I took about 5-10 minutes doing my thing and when I came downstairs I found the above picture. The poor sweet little dear was so tired he fell asleep on the bottom stair and was snoring away. What a sweetheart. I love this precious little man!

I am a rich woman

In this economy of gloom and doom, it's easy to lose sight of what is important in life. The things we work hard for seem even more unattainable with the current limitations of the market. During my birthday and, again, last night as I rocked my sweet two year old to sleep, I was reminded of what matters most in life. Material possessions and accomplishments come and go, but it is the relationships we create that last and matter the most. I'd rather be someone rich with friends and family than with dollars and gold. (though I wouldn't be sad if I had both!)

I was humbled by how many well wishers took time out of their day to call, stop by, or write on-line to share some birthday cheer. All the kind thoughts that were given. It is my friends that make my life rich and full of happiness. I feel so blessed to have the friends I do and am glad for all they bring to me.

And how lost I would be without my family! I am the most amazing, beautiful, powerful, kind person according to my kids. There is a reason why when I sit down they all cover me in a pile of kids. There is a reason why they share their fears, pains, and hopes with me. And I have the power to make or break the day for my sweet husband. I have people who love and need me.

This isn't meant to be an ego trip into how amazing I am, but rather a reflection on what matters most. I am not rich according to the world. There are lots of things I would love to have. But I am wealthy when it comes to relationships. When I grow old and gray, it shouldn't matter to me what possesions I have acquired, but rather the people who have touched my life and have been influenced for good by me. That is how I want to be remembered. I have a loving family who needs me and friends who love me. I am a rich woman, truly blessed in what matters most.

So true!

My first race

I have been back into running for the past four weeks now. I had toyed with the idea of running and finally decided to just give it a whirl. I LOVE to run, but shied away from it because I always end up with knee problems. Cursed right knee! But this time I invested in a good pair of running shoes and decided to do things right. I have gotten advice from the Internet and some friends who are big into running. And I am proud of the progress I have made since I started, despite my silly right knee.

This weekend I decided to run a 5K on a whim. I only read about it in the newspaper on Friday and the run was on Saturday. Anxious to get a race under my belt, I decided to give it a try. It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience. It was a very low key race. So much so that only six runners showed up! And I was the only beginner. It was very humbling as we started out and everyone just went out ahead of me. I was the last one in. It didn't help that the run started uphill and stayed that way for the first half. Plus my ipod wasn't cooperating for some random reason, so I had to run with only my thoughts. I only function with music! Still, I was determined and I ran it and finish it! I learned a lot and was glad for the experience. Even though I was the last one in, out of the whopping 6 runners, I got a medal for placing 2nd in the Women's Division. That was nice. It was a great feeling of accomplishment! I am proud of myself. One race down and more to come!

A lesson from a child

It's amazing how much one can learn from children if she just takes the time. Although raising Jacob is a non-stop adventure, I am learning a lot more from him than just to what degree my patience can last.

Monday morning found Jacob downstairs, spinning in circles, clapping his hands, and chanting, "Yeah Jacob!". He hadn't done anything that resulted in this celebration, he just decided to break out in shouts and cheer himself on. It was the cutest thing to watch. He shows so much enthusiasm for himself. I love it!

Then it got me thinking about how we all could use a little dosage of such excitement for self in our own lives. When was the last time you cheered yourself on for no apparent reason? I seriously don't know. I can tell you my most recent episode of chastising myself for making a mistake. But I don't know when I gave myself a happy dance just because I'm me. Adults learn inhibitions and, sometimes, that's not a good thing. We focus more on what we do wrong and fail to see what we do right. And we rarely take the time to cheer ourselves simply because of who we are. Think of what good such positive energy could do for everyone! I'm not talking about being self focused, but feeling confident enough to love ourselves and be happy for being us!

Jacob still may pick up food from the ground, try to shove a roll of toilet paper down the potty, or ride his truck down the middle of the street, but he teaches me so much every day about how I can be better and happier. Being a mom is a learning experience for everyone and I love it!

My little imp

I love, love, love this little guy. He is definitely a "Parenting 505" child, always keeping me on my toes. But I cannot imagine life without his larger than life personality. He is so happy and jolly. It's contagious! I love this boy!

True Jacob

Jacob after I tamed the poof with gel

Doing an impish Jacob dance around his training potty

Wha?

The government is shutting down. Um, cool. Too bad we can't fire Congress for not doing their job. Such things would not be put up with in any company. They'd be fired and replaced. Of course, it'll be the little people who suffer from the government being "closed", not Congress. Am I the only one who finds this very disturbing and confusing? As the minions would say, "Wha?".

I don't envy their husbands!

I recently ran across an article titled "What No One Ever Admits About Marriage". My curious self just couldn't resist perusing and seeing what dark secrets, we supposedly all have, that people confessed. And the good old world did not let me down, but rather gave me lots of fodder to show just how selfish people are.

Love and Money
"I have a habit of hiding money from my husband. I'm an accountant, so naturally I'm in charge of handling the household finances. But he's aware of how much I make — and spend. During tax season, I do a lot of extra work on the side, and instead of depositing the checks, I cash some and treat myself to massages, facials, lunches — basically anything that doesn't come in a shopping bag that I'd have to explain!"
—Marisa, 34
How sad to want to hide your money from your husband. If you want a nice facial or something, let him know. But don't be all sneaky about it. If we got some extra income, I'd be so excited to sit down with Marshall and discuss the possibilities of what to do with that money. Personally, I'd want him included in the partying with said money. I am all for having personal money each month to spend as each desires, but pampering one's self with extra "secret" money seems a tad bit selfish.

DIY
"My man is not the most motivated guy in the world, so I bribe him to do things around the house by offering him sexual favors. I currently owe him three for the crown molding he put in the bedrooms!"
—Elisa, 29
Prostitution in marriage is always a good thing. If it's illegal in most states, it should be banned in your marriage as well! Ew! One thing all the sane marriage experts say is NEVER to use sex as payment in your marriage. It demeans the woman, man, and their relationship. If you want the job done then find something else to motivate him or, better yet, learn how to do the work yourself. If it bugs you more, you get it done!

Let's Make a Deal
"I'm a staunch feminist, but I took my husband's last name when we got married. The reason: We'd made a deal that if I did, I could name all of our future children. First and middle names, no questions asked. Not even my mom knows about that deal. Everyone probably thinks I'm a traditionalist deep down."
—Brooke, 28
It's amazing you even got married! How big of you to demean yourself by getting hitched to a man, alluding to the fact that you may not be able to survive on your own and (gasp) need man in your life. Children should not be used as bargaining chips. Naming them together is a good thing. But you're too selfish to see that.

Alone Time
"I love when my husband has to go out of town for work. I hear friends talk about how much they miss their husband when he's gone and how hard it is to juggle everything. I feel neither of those things. When he's away, it takes me back to the peace of mind I felt when I lived alone. I watch what I want, eat dinner at 10:00 P.M., clean the house — or not. It's when I get to be Claire, rather than Claire the wife, and I cherish it. Sorry, honey!"
—Claire, 30
I'm surprised you are still married. Why bother put up with being a wife at all if it is such a suffocating thing? I am all for having some down time or girl time, but I look forward to the minute when my hubby gets home from work and do anything, but celebrate when he has to go out of town. I actually like him and would spend all my time with him if I could. You need to TALK to your man and make sure you both do and eat what you want together. It's called communication and compromising.

Soul Mates
"OK, I know that this is going to sound cheesy, but I really believe that my husband is my soul mate. I'm lucky to have found him, to be married to my best friend and to be genuinely happy in my relationship. But if I talked about it with the abandon I feel, I'd drive everyone crazy."
—Tracey, 25
Well, not all hope is lost. I feel the same way about my husband. I am glad I am not the only one. For a minute there I was getting pretty scared!

Painful Enlightment

Mention taxes to any person who is self employed and you will get an earful of bitter rantings about doom and gloom. I never understood this completely until my husband became "self employed". No, he still works for the county as a prosecutor, but he also does some legal work on the side for some neighboring cities. It is that supplemental income that forces him to claim that work as self employed. Being our first full year of such employment and tax paying time looming large, I now understand the bitterness of those who are self employed. Seeing such a chunk of change demanded by Uncle Sam is not the kind of weight management I had in mind for my bank account. Now I do love America and all the freedoms I enjoy living here. Don't get that wrong. I just don't agree with the government's spending.

I wish taxes were like tithing. I pay far more in tithing than I do in taxes, but I really don't mind one bit. Yes, it's a commandment from the Lord and all, but I also know that my tithing money is being used for good. To help build churches, temples, missionary work, etc. The list goes on and on. I am happy to part with my hard earned money and give it back to the Lord. I know He'll use it where it is most needed.

I wish I could say the same for my taxes. Yeah, I'm helping people on welfare afford their big screen TV and the newest video game system. Oh,joy! I kind of picture the government like that one bad friend who has no money sense and is always trying to bum a few bucks off of you. You really don't want to give them any money because you know said friend will blow it and be right back at your door asking for more. I look at the National Debt and cringe, wondering if my measly tax dollars, compared to the total amount everyone pays, will really make a difference. It may seem like nothing to the government, but it's a lot of hard earned money to me. And I don't want to part with it because I know it'll be used for things I don't agree with. Why should I trust Uncle Sam with my money when he hasn't been very good at keeping a tab on his own?

What a mess! If only it was easily cleaned up with a flick of a wand. (Harry Potter, where are you?)I'll pay my taxes to my demanding "friend", but I won't be happy about it.