A whole new kind of party

Forget Tupperware or Pampered Chef parties, why don't you have a Slumber Party instead? Who wants to sit around talking about boring kitchen gadgets when you could have someone come into your home and market the hottest lingerie, edible lubricants, adult games, books, sexy massage oils, and toys?! That's right, you and all your girlfriends can sit around, giggle, chat, and confer on which items will give the most "spice" to your bedroom exeperience. What's not to love?!

I about died when I read a listing on Craig'slist about the above company seeking people interested in selling their products through Slumber Parties. They made it specifically clear that those selling the products are not asked to take off their clothes or anything. No, why would anyone get that idea, silly? You're just like a Mary Kay Girl, except you sell sex toys and naughty nighties instead.

Wow. Sitting around and talking about which baking stone works the best or the newest line of Scentsy candles is one thing, if not annoying, but gathering with my gals to talk about anything close to sex is just creepy. Having someone come into my house to show me the latest sex products just makes me want to hide under my couch. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm very shy when it comes to my sex life becoming public. The times I have had to buy anything that is used in the bedroom for said purposes have always embarrassed me and, probably, always will. Everyone knows everyone else does it, you just don't want to talk about it. And I think that is a good thing. I really don't want my friends to know what lingerie I buy and I REALLY don't want to know what oils or stimulants they use for their bedroom life. No, nope, never. Please, keep your sex life to yourself and no one will get hurt! 1) Because I won't have to choke you for telling me or wash my ears out with bleach and 2) You husband won't lose trust in you for talking about something that should always be kept between you two.

I think it's funny too that such a business is in operation. I am sure some people love it, as in the fact that they even exist. But why do I need to salesperson to come tell me which products or nightie my hubby will love when I can just ask him myself? Novel idea, right? But I mean really, why waste time, money, and energy guessing when I can just talk to the man in question? No need to make it all public or to bring in any other party by just keeping it between us. He'll be happy, I'll be happy, and no one will ever know the details of what goes on behind closed doors.

Sorry ladies, but the only slumber parties I am having at my house will only be for my husband and I.

So . . .

I never thought I'd be saying the words, "Don't use your toothbrush on the cat!". But Jimmy was so excited about the new toothbrush he got from school (a dentist visited) that he had to make sure Penelope had clean teeth. Good thing she is so patient. Jimmy swears he can still use said toothbrush, but I have other plans.

Is it me or do all kids have holes in their stomachs? Giant gaping holes that make them hungry right after they've had a huge snack and you finally get the chance to sit down for a moment.

The Academy Awards are exciting because it is fun to see who won what and, of course, Best Picture. But I do admit it is crazy to see how Hollywood turns into prom on steroids. Even more insane how "every day people" go gaga over the pomp, gowns, and drama. With everything else going on in the world, don't we have something better to focus on or some better place to put all that money?

Why is it hard to find modest clothes for my girls? Short skirts and shorts abound! Leggings are cute, but just because you are wearing them with a short skirt doesn't make you modest! And I am not a fan of leggings with skirts at church. Call me old fashioned, but that's just me. Sunday is a special day.

I just finished reading "Ivanhoe". It was a really good read. Wit, romance, action, suspense, drama, and more. It's a classic that is actually worthy of the title. I love when that happens!

Marshall was in the paper last week for the work he has done getting the mental health court started and running this past year. It is a good program and I am proud of him for all his hard work.

I should not be allowed to buy more kitty food or litter on my own because when I do I want to buy my kitties new toys and stuff. I love my cats. They have added so much to our house! Yeah, I am an animal loving spazz.

Bella

Meet Bella, proof that I am a giant softie for animals in need. You see, I met Bella last Monday when I went to PetSmart to pick up a few things. Jacob and I looked at the cats for adoption before we left the store. We saw Bella and she was so affectionate and tender. She won my heart!

A few more times during the week I stopped by to check on her. Marshall and I talked about adopting Bella and thought about it. Finally, we got Bella on Saturday. You'd think it was Christmas for the PAWS people. They were so excited because Bella had been up for adoption for over a year. She is very sweet and loving. She is three years old and I know not many people would adopt an older cat. So we brought Bella home. And we love her. Penelope is trying to get used to her, which mostly includes hissing at Bella and following her around to check her out. We've heard it takes some time for the cats to get used to each other.

But I am glad we have Bella. She is a sweetie and I just had to rescue her. I am happy we can give her a good home. I promise, I am stopping at two. I won;t become a crazy cat lady, yet...

Not a Woman

 A beautiful model, right? Well maybe not so much once you learn that "she" is actually a "he", known as gender bending model Andrej Pejic. Yep, that's right. This is a picture of a man.

Bosnian born Pejic says he isn't trying to be a girl, but he seems to be doing very well for himself posing as one. He has appeared in various fashion shows and magazines as both a man and a woman. His trans-gender posing has made him the hottest thing in New York's circle of cutting edge fashion.

I'm sorry, I really am, but I find this all just a bit unsettling. Don't get me wrong, I am glad Pejic has been able to embrace his more feminine features and be comfortable with who he is, not feeling the need to fit the profile of a typical man. However, I am bothered that although he isn't trying to be a woman, he has no problem posing as one. Something about a man sprawled out in a swim suit while wearing heels just makes me cringe. Call me old fashioned or closed minded, but that is just how I feel. And the fact that he is so popular among the fashion world just creeps me out. What, regular looking male and female models aren't good enough? We're bored of them now so we have to find models who can play either gender. Seriously? Isn't that just on more step towards confusion and choas?

The excitement over Pejic just makes me sick. What is wrong with society?  There has to be a line. There just has to be.

Thoughts

- After 2 1/2 years of serving in the Young Women organization as a Laurel Advisor, I have been released. I totally have mixed feelings since I love my girls and teaching them, but was getting somewhat anxious for a new adventure. (One can only handle so much of teenagers!) But when I knew I was going to be released, I didn't want it to happen. I love being a part of my girls lives. My new calling is as the Ward Music Chair. Ha! I have never had a musical calling in my life. I am just glad I don't have to lead music in Sacrament meeting. I am in charge of music for the ward, meaning Sacrament hymns and special musical numbers. Should be a learning process!

- Marshall started teaching at Dixie State College this past week. His friend from work, who had been teaching for the past ten years, decided to quit and offered the position to Marshall. If you know Marshall at all, you know he loves to teach. So once a week on Wednesday evenings, from 5-8, he teaches Juvenille Justice. And he's already set to teach another night class this Fall. His first week of teaching went well. I hope he enjoys it! What a great opportunity!

- Right now I am reading "Ivanhoe" and really really liking it. It is full of drama, action, intrigue, and even comedy. The character "Robin Hood" originates from this book. I love Medival times, though am glad I am not a woman living in them. Such a fascinating part of history.

-I think I would adopt all the cats at PetSmart if I could. They have pets there that you can adopt and Jacob and I looked at them the other day. There were some really sweet cats there that I just wanted to take home. One in particular melted my heart. Penelope, who is our outdoors adventurer, must have sensed a disturbance in the force because she made sure to be extra affectionate to me this morning. It was sweet.

-Penelope is growing up. She made her first kill last week. It was a lizard. The kids were horrified. She's also killed a mouse over at the neighbor's yard. Our neighbor was very grateful. There are some good things about having a roaming outside cat.

-Exercise makes me happy. Seriously. I have been in a funk and today I decided to just snap out of it and get active. I went to the gym and worked myself hard. I felt so much better afterwards. Pedicures are nice, but give me a tough work-out any day. There's nothing like accomplishing that and feeling good about yourself. Yeah for a working body!

Moloka'i

Young Rachel Kalama, growing up in idyllic Honolulu in the 1890s, is part of a big, loving Hawaiian family, and dreams of seeing the far-off lands that her father, a merchant seaman, often visits. But at the age of seven, Rachel and her dreams are shattered by the discovery that she has leprosy. Forcibly removed from her family, she is sent to Kalaupapa, the isolated leper colony on the island of Moloka'i.

I loved this book because it is about both a beautiful place and horrible disease that I know little about. I have always wanted to visit Hawaii, and hope to some day, and reading Brennert's descriptions of the people and islands made me want to go even more. What a gorgeous place to set the tale about such a devestating disease. Althought fictional, some characters and the events of sending leperous people to Moloka'i are real. I enjoyed learning about this disease that I have no exposure to and also seeing how those on the island grew together to form their own community and family.

And I had no idea about the leper colony there and how families were torn apart from the disease. I couldn't imagine having my 7 year-old Rachel taken from me and sent off away to suffer such pain and fear on her own. It would have been awful to be so powerless.

I felt like I was right there, following the life of Rachel Kalama as she experienced Moloka'i. Definately a good read.