When reduce, reuse, recycle goes wrong.

It's the three green R's.  Normally a wonderful thing.  We teach it to our youth even before the original three R's.  We all know it's importance in helping the world.  One might argue the green R's are the most important gimmick to come out of the green movement.   Doubt me?  

It is so important that it has it's own logo. 

But even something as pure and holy has a dark side.  

I know, I know.  Blasphemy.  But it's true.  And the TRUTH needs to be told so that further tragedy can be avoided.   

Now, prepare yourself for the most appalling, heartbreaking instance of the reuse portion of the scared green Rs.  And thank the universe that you didn't stumble upon this without warning.  Some evil is here, attempting to undo the good of the green movement by perverting the idea of reuse.   

It has it's own video on Youtube! 

Need I say more? 

I didn't think so.

Shag-carpet. . .made into a vest.  WHYYYYYYYYY!  

Proud Mama

Em has her first private skating lesson in a couple days.  She's pretty excited.  The old man was a bit skeptical at first about private lessons ($$).  However, after the ice show a couple of weeks ago he's convinced it's a good idea.  She did a great job!  She did a great job on top of having a shortened session to learn the routine.

Here she is on picture day.  I forgot to take any pictures ANY of the three performances.  I'm a bad mom, and worse photographer.  

  

Happy Zombie Day!

I have another post I'm working on, but I just had to throw this in now.  Neither my husband or I are Christian. However, we live in America (where a lot of the population claims that they are) and most of our family is one brand or another.  For those reasons we explain a lot of Christian things to our children, especially around the holidays.  Most of the time I think the stuff I tell them goes in one ear and out the other. . .but then there are the conversations I didn't plan on having.  For example it's Easter today.  We dye the eggs, we hide the eggs and candy.  Maybe it's about time I ask if they know what Easter really is.

I ask the kids, "Do you guys know what Easter is really about?"

The kids answer absently,  "No?"

I go into a long explanation of how the early Christians were converting Pagans, took spring renewal celebrations and mashed them with their stories. . .got to the part where I talk about how Christ was crucified (oh yea we remember that they add) and how three days later he arose . . .Em interrupts,  "Wait, what do you mean he arose?"  Clearly confused.  I had just said he was killed and now he's getting up.  

I continue,  "He arose from the dead and talked to. . ."  and again Em interrupts me.  Very serious and still confused she asks: "So like, Jesus is a zombie?"  


After a fair amount of laughing on my part I did explain to them that Jesus was not an undead, but I think they are suspicious.  

Why I'm not here.

I look at my past few posts and the huge time gaps, then wonder why I even have this blog.  It's not that I lack ideas to write about, I could write all day. . .if I had nothing else to do.  A busy schedule isn't the real thing stopping me.  I feel unfocused, particularly when it comes to this blog.  And if I'm being honest, I feel constrained.  It's totally self imposed constraint.  I've thus far avoided racier topics.  Stayed safe and only commented lightly on the general goings on of our life.  I emotionally flop between feeling bored or like I'm just bragging.

So why have I held back?  It's not like I really care what others think, and lets be honest who is actually reading this?  Ok I know of one person who reads it, but I talk with her in real life. . .she knows I am crazy and still chooses to associate with me.  (yeah you FTM)  I've struggled to answer this question to no avail.

Perhaps it's time to decided what to do now.  I've toyed with the idea of keeping this more of a light mood blog while simultaneously and anonymously writing a second blog.  Who am I kidding, I can't even keep this one up to date.  I could just abandon the whole enterprise.  Or I could just stop holding back.    

so, yeah I'm still alive

I realize it's been a looooooooooooooooong time since I have posted anything.  I came back about a month ago, and thought it seemed kind of silly to start blogging again after such a long lapse, so I didn't post anything at that time.  However, my sister informs me that this is perfectly acceptable, and that she is awaiting my update.  First I had to catch up with some old friends and see how their bloggin' is going.  Seems I'm the only one who fell into the pit of nothing to write.  I've just been in this blah world where everything seems too trivial when I go to type it for the world to see.  Even more so now.  In the past month I've found out that my mom has breast cancer (thank goodness hers is a pretty good prognosis) and my close friend has stage 3 lung cancer (not so good prognosis).  There is a whole heap of tragedy that goes with that, that I can't even bring myself to talk about right now.

In my absence I've made some major changes in my life.  Both external and internal.  Let's cover the big external first.  My sister, the one without kids, had her first baby and we agreed to watch him full time while she works.  I say we, because with the kids at home they help a lot.  It's actually been amazing to see them interact with the baby.  Over the summer we decided to move out of our rental and in with my dad so that we can save up to buy a house.  Dh and I got on a really good diet and exercise regimen, then with the move it all fell apart.  We are back to eating better, the holidays were a mess in that department, but finding room/time to workout has been impossible.  I really want to get back into it, I felt soooo good, and my headaches were totally gone.  They've come back a bit, but are manageable.  My daughter turned 10.  AHHHHHH!  Double digits!  She's still a kid at heart tho ;)  And my son is now 7.  Em is still skating, twice a week this year and we are talking about private lessons.  Patch is doing boy scouts and is really enjoying it. Other then that we keep up with our friends in the local HS group, and have even been hanging out with our old friends from when we moved 3 (?) years ago.

The internal changes are not so easy to describe.  I feel like I've finally figured out the person I want to be.  I'm what 35 now, guess it's time I figured that out.  I know it sounds cliche, but I feel like those sayings like "don't sweat the small stuff" finally sank in.  Like really sank in, on a fundamental level.  I got a really good look at the big picture, with out all the shit in the way.  All the shit is still there, it just no longer matters.  It's not like I no longer care about anything, if anything I care more. . .just about the right stuff (which I always cared about) and I no longer about the crap, the small stuff.  UGH, I don't feel like I'm describing this right.  At any rate. . .I feel much more focused.  I wouldn't say happier. . .happy is a funny thing.  Happy comes and goes in life, I don't see it as something one can obtain and keep constant.  I would however say that I'm moving in the direction of contentment.  And despite the incredible sadness, and excitement, and anger, and happiness, I feel there is this underlying peace.