Zimmerman: Tired of Hearing His Name Yet?

Zimmerman. That name is very well known these days. It's associated with racism, murder, riots, justice, self defense...
Last night, a Facebook friend of mine posted a status that got a lot of attention and had me ranting a bit, as well. Apparently there is a video of Black Panther members threatening Zimmerman's life, which upset my friend. He believes that Treyvon Martin was killed in self defense.
And then there are those who don't. Many believe that Zimmerman murdered Martin simply because Martin was black. And here we are, back to square one.
There's no black and white here (no pun intended), but I believe that today, white people always have to be afraid that something they do or don't do is going to be considered racist or discriminatory.
There's affirmative action, Miss Black America, BET, Black History Month (which is American history)... I'm okay with this (with the exception of affirmative action, which I completely disagree with), but would it be okay to have a Miss White America? A White History Month? Absolutely not. Those involved would have their pants sued off their backsides and chances are, their great grandchildren would pay for it too, just as we pay for the fact that our white ancestors used black people as slaves 150 years ago.
Today, when a white person kills a black person, it's racism. But if a black person kills a white person, it's simply a random act of violence. Fifty years ago it was the other way around. It's not the fault of this generation of white people that black people were slaves or had to sit on the back of the bus or weren't allowed to go to college. It sucks that it happened and I don't agree with it on any level. But it's also not my fault that it happened simply because I am white.
We're all human beings whether we're black, white, red or otherwise. Let's move on and practice what we preach when asking for equal rights. Let's embrace each other as friends and neighbors. Who gives a damn if I'm white and you're black?
I am white. I don't hate you or think of you any differently simply because your skin is darker than mine. I don't think I'm any better than you are simply because your ancestors were slaves to white people.
So please, stop thinking that white people owe black people something because white people made black people suffer in the past. And stop thinking that black people are beneath white people because George Washington used black people as slaves.

A Look Inside My Random Thoughts

Seriously? He had to eat the entire box of shortbread cookies? Nice of him to think someone else might have wanted one. I really need sugar.
I should bring those grapes with me tonight so we can eat them before they go bad. He should have eaten them instead of all the damn cookies. Like he ate the entire container of strawberries.
I want to go to a water park Easier if I had contacts though. Land of Make Believe will be fun. Have to wait for dad to come home. His 5:30am flight back to Colorado is gonna be great. Gotta leave home at 2am. Good times.
Enclosed water slides freak me out. I was so excited. I'm in it. It's dark. There's water. No way out. How long is this damn slide? Will I know it's the end? Is this Hell? I see the light! It's over! Thank God!!
Maybe I'll throw everything on my dresser in the garbage. I have no idea what's even on it anymore so I probably won't miss anything.
Damn. I used the chicken. No chicken corn chowder for dinner I guess. It's Tuesday. Antique Road Show at Weis. I am not going there today. But I do need milk. I'll send Kev for it.
I wonder if the guy who plays Barney the Dinosaur really enjoys his job. I hope for his sake he doesn't hate his life and live alone in his mom's basement. I'm Googling him.
I should Google my name again. Hopefully the comment from someone's Xanga page in high school is no longer the first thing to show. How nice that was for strangers to see.
I really need to look into publishing my children's book.
I need more sugar.
Mmmm I wish I had Doritos and cream cheese. No wonder I can't lose weight. I probably gain it simply because I'm constantly thinking about eating.
I love food. That honey BBQ chicken wrap from PJW was de-lish.
I want something salty.

"What If" You Never Read This?

I think I speak for everyone when I say the question "What if?" just plain sucks.  Everyone can say that there's no point in asking yourself that question because you'll never know the answer. But let's face it: it's just not that easy. You want to know! No, we shouldn't waste our entire lives thinking about what might have been, but we all think about it nonetheless. So do we just force ourselves to stop asking the question? Or do we make sure we never have to ask it at all? For example, when I was in high school, there were a lot of activities I wanted to partake in but never did. What if I had? I probably would have made a lot of good friends and made a ton of memories. But I didn't and I've grown to accept that.  But then there are the tougher what ifs. Like, what if I had taken that job opportunity? Started my own business? Found a way to stay home with the kids? So I ask you this: is it better to take a risk and, with that, risk making a mistake? Or is it better to never know what might have been? And when is enough, enough? When is it time to say no more risks? Thoughts, please! Can't wait to hear some opinions!

Drop What You're Doing and Grab That Bubble Wand!

The other night while getting ice cream with my family, I ran into a friend from high school who said, "I love reading your blog!" I laughed and said, "I haven't written anything in so long!" She replied, "Well you should, because I love your writing." So here I am. A lot of things in my life have changed recently and just like everyone else, I always have something going on. Whether it's helping a friend pick out a wedding dress a week before her wedding, drying my cell phone in a bag of rice after my three-year-old "washed" it, taking my husband to the ER because he lost a fight with a riding lawn mower... Life happens. And sometimes you forget to stop and do the things you love doing. I love being a mommy and a wife. I love reading books and watching movies. I've found a new love of planting flowers and watching them grow. And I have always loved writing. But sometimes (okay, a lot of times as you can tell based on how long it's been since my last post), I don't take enough time to do the things I really love doing. I get caught up in a pile of laundry or a sink full of dishes. Sometimes I forget that I started the washer before even putting clothes in it because the dog got sick or my son fell and bumped his head. But that's life, isn't it? Life goes on and it doesn't wait for anyone. You can't add an extra hour to the end of your day to have a glass of wine because you spent too much time in the 24 hours you were given being stressed out over whether or not you'll have enough money to pay both the electric and the cable bills. You can't press pause and make your children wait to play a game of Go Fish because you need to clean the bathtub. You figure out what's more important. Can the dishes wait to be washed until you've taught your son how to make a paper airplane? Can the laundry sit in the washer until you've had a tea party with your daughter? Can the carpet wait to be vacuumed so you can have a cup of coffee while reading a chapter in that book you can't wait to finish? Absolutely. The saying "Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today" doesn't always apply to work. It applies to life. The dishes will still be dirty in 30 minutes. The carpet will still be full of dog hair in an hour. The laundry will still need to be folded in the morning. But your children won't be young forever. And neither will you. So next time your child asks you to blow bubbles while you're carrying a load of laundry, put it down and pick up that bubble wand! The next time you pass that novel on the bookshelf as you make your way to the sink full of dirty dishes, stop and pick it up and read a chapter or two. And the next time a friend calls and tells you she reads your blog, give her something to read! You'll both be glad you did.

A Prayer for Strength

I woke up this morning to two little feet pushed into my back and a the faint sound of a little boy snoring. My two year old son had come into my room after he heard his daddy leave for work. I smiled and rolled over, basking in the warmth of my son's unconditional love.
Before I knew it, all I could think about were those parents in Connecticut whose babies' lives were stolen yesterday. I can only imagine what they're going through and it is beyond heartbreaking, beyond painful, beyond words.
When I heard the tragic news of the elementary school massacre yesterday, I was overcome by emotion. I fought to hold back the tears as I thought of my own child. I wanted to leave the office, drive as fast as I could to my nana's, sweep him up into my arms and never let him go.
And then I thought I was going to be sick. What possesses a person to take the life of another human being? To take the lives of innocent children and their teachers... Rob parents of their children's contagious laughter and over abundance of love... Frighten an entire world of parents into asking themselves, "Is my child's school safe?"
Not a second has gone by since the news broke that I haven't thought about the parents who will never see their children again. They will forever be faced with the image of their frightened children holding the hands of their friends as they took their last breaths. And a week before Christmas, they will bury their babies.
They have had so many things taken away from them by one man's decision. And now we ask, "Why?"
The truth is, we will never truly know the thoughts that entered this man's mind. Was it anger? Illness? Were there warning signs that he could one say become a mass murder?
No matter what the answer may be, it will not make these parents feel better about the loss of their children. It won't make the families of the teachers who died protecting their students miss their loved ones any less.
So to those who have lost their children, siblings, teachers, friends, I offer you my sympathy. From the bottom of my broken heart, I am truly and deeply sorry for your unimaginable loss. While it may not make things any easier, know that while the rest of us are celebrating the birth of our savior, your babies and loved ones are holding his hand. They will never again know fear or heartbreak. From this day on, they will forever be safe in the arms of Jesus.
For those whose lives were spared yesterday, again, I am so sorry that you had to witness this absolutely devastating and horrific moment in time that will be with you all forever. Do not feel guilty for being alive and do not feel guilty for being thankful. I pray to God that he fills the teachers and children with strength, courage and love as they will one day have to enter the classrooms where so many were lost.
And for the rest of us, let us remember to show those we hold dear just how much we love them. Hug your children and tell them you love them whenever you get the chance. May God bless us in this time of uncertainty and grief.

My New Addiction: Tricky Trays!

I may be behind the times, but I went to my very first tricky tray on Friday and I must say: I can not wait to go again. I had fun, won prizes and helped benefit an awesome non-profit organization.
I originally planned on going to the event with a friend of mine, but it ended up being postponed due to Hurricane Sandy. So my husband, Kevin, and I took the opportunity to have a date night. My mom and dad took our son, Sebastian, for the evening and off my hubby and I went.
Now, my husband didn't want to go to this fundraiser to begin with, which is why I had planned on going with a friend. But because she couldn't make it to the newly chosen date, I dragged (I hate that word) my husband along. It turns out we both had a lot of fun.
We browsed the tables littered with gift baskets and jewelry, toys and appliances, throwing our ticket stubs into cups next to each item we just "had" to have. We discussed which items our son would love as we each tossed ticket after ticket into cups next to Bob the Builder (Sebastian's current favorite) toys, train museum gift certificates and a candy-filled Thanksgiving pinata. We saw gifts that reminded us of What's-Her-Face and So-and-So, giving us ideas about what Christmas gifts to buy for whom.
After we ran out of tickets (of course I sent hubby for more... twice!), Kevin and I were able to sit and enjoy coffee and tea, hot dogs, desserts and other goodies with those in attendance. We met some new people and I even met a couple of people whom I work with for the first time, as we mostly communicate via email and telephone.
My husband and I were able to spend time together doing something that we had never done before. While tricky trays may not be as thrilling as sky diving or bungee jumping, they are exciting, especially if you have never been to one before. It adds some fun to date night, as it's not the same old dinner and a movie or bar scene. And you can win things!
You never know what you're going to find at a tricky tray. On Friday, there were baskets of hair supplies, candles, baking goodies, toys, crafts, greeting cards and more. There were gift certificates to museums, theaters and restaurants. Still other tables were loaded with electronics, collectibles, celebrity-autographed memorabilia. The list goes on.
When the time came for the announcer to call the winners' names, the anticipation and excitement filled the room. Those around us had clappers and light up toys so they could really make it known if they won. And did they ever. While Kevin and I simply raised our hands when we won, others could be heard in the next county. I knew that these women were definitely experienced tricky tray goers.
After all was said and done, Kevin and I walked away with a Swedish Raclette grill (so awesome! I will definitely be doing a review), bubble bath gift basket, "As Seen On Tv" gift basket, and a gift certificate for a men's haircut--not too shabby for first timers who never win anything!
But the best part of all was knowing that all of the prizes had been donated and the hundreds of people in attendance had just helped an amazing cause: Haven of Hope for Kids (www.havenofhopeforkids.org). Check back for details about this nonprofit, as I will be writing about it in detail. Anyone with children who have a life threatening illness must know about this organization, so if that's you or someone you know, stay tuned.
Until then, go check out a tricky tray; you won't be disappointed!

"You Are Important and You Are Needed"

Inspiration for today's post comes from a photo that a Facebook friend of mine posted yesterday. It was a photo of a news article, and unfortunately I do not know it's original source, but this is what it said:
Words for Teenagers
Northland College principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth. "Always we hear the cry from teenagers, 'what can we do, where can we go?'
"My answer is this: Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons and after you're finished, read a book. Your town doesn't owe you recreational facilities and your parents do not owe you fun.
"The world does not owe you a living. You owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in sickness and lonely again. In other words grow up, stop being a cry baby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone, not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It's too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you!"
Wow. If this isn't a huge wake up call and one of the most honest things I've ever read, then I'm the creator of the Italian mafia.
When I first started reading this and saw "your town doesn't owe you recreational facilities," I thought, "well what else do we expect teens to do?" When I read on, I felt like an idiot to say the least.
Not only are there so many more things for teenagers--and everyone else for that matter--to do than I had ever thought of doing while I was a teen, but there is something that can be done about the things that we want to see become a reality.
The above article is a call to action and an absolute slap in the face from reality. No one owes us anything. We owe something to ourselves. Rather than sitting at home complaining how bored we are, let's put our voices to good use. Go speak up for abused children who can't do it on their own. Go play bingo with a senior citizen who will live the rest of their days inside the walls of a nursing home. Go find out how to begin the process of receiving grants for a playground that you never had as a child.
The ending of the article really brings it all home: "Someday is now and that somebody is you." You want your town to create a safe place for children to play and teens to gather? You think there should be more family oriented events planned in your community? Well, who is the town if it isn't you and me? "You are important and you are needed."
We are the town, the neighborhood, the country, the world. Let's start putting our talents and our blessings to use by sharing them with others for the good of all.