Back in the Day

I'm so tired of seeing older folks commenting on shit saying 'we didn't have/do ____ and we turned out fine'. They don't seem to understand that we no longer live in the same world they did. People are stupider now. Sure you didn't have car seats, but you had better built cars back then, that wouldn't just crumple up in an accident like the cars do nowadays. So yes, we NEED car seats and car seat laws now, and really, why would ANYONE argue AGAINST something that protects children?

And no, you didn't have millions of people claiming self-diagnosed gluten intolerance back then, but you also had different food back then. Did you know that in the 70s, a scientist modified wheat to be more resistant and resilient, and in doing so, it altered the genetic construction of the wheat (so yes, it's a GMO) and this alteration increased the gluten in the wheat.  so the foods we eat now, made from that wheat, are different than the same foods you ate, higher in gluten. I still don't buy that millions of people NEED gluten-free (given that at least half those people don't know what gluten is...), but that really isn't my point. 

Thing is, the world has changed so much since these older people were kids, and instead of fighting against it, we all need to learn to adapt. 

For example, it used to be cheaper to make clothes than to buy clothes. Nowadays it's damn near opposite. Fabrics are so expensive, and clothing is mass produced so much more easily. 

Sick of My Kid's Drama Queen Bullshit

So, Connor has a lot of snot drainage again today, which causes him to expel the snot that accumulates in his stomach overnight (I have the same issue, but thank goodness the doc gave me those meds; it's completely helped).  

At 1, I get a call from the school, "Shayla has wet herself; can you bring her a change of clothes?" I ask calmly, "My son has been puking all day, and I don't want to drag him out in the cold. How badly did she wet herself?" Nurse says she's soaked, so I say I'm on my way.

We walk up there, the whole time I'm going over in my head different things that can cause an 8 year old with appropriate bladder control to suddenly pee themselves. 

I get there, Shayla bounces into the office, all smiles and happy. My first words? "You don't look wet." She stops dead in her tracks. "...umm..." 

So I ask what happened as I'm grabbing the bag of clothes. Connor says 'Mommy...' And I hear his stomach lurch so I just shove his head in the backpack, because I have it in my hands. 

Shayla explains that 'she didn't wipe very well' and I kind of...well...exploded. 

"I DRAGGED YOUR PUKING BROTHER TO THE SCHOOL, WALKING THROUGH THE COLD BECAUSE YOU WERE IN SUCH A HURRY YOU COULDN'T WIPE YOUR ASS???"

The school official wisely stayed quiet. 

So I hand Shayla the clean underwear (which was wrapped in the jeans and shirt that absorbed Connor's snot vomit), and she goes to change. When she comes back, I am deadly calm, and I quietly lecture her about being overdramatic and exaggerating everything. I told her the next time this happens she had better be head to toe saturated, it had better be a real serious emergency, and willing to sit and wait for Daddy to leave work and bring her clothes, because if it isn't such an emergency that she doesn't want Daddy to bring the clothes (because Daddy is a lot tougher than I am and won't tolerate the shit I do), then it clearly wasn't important enough. 

I told her this is the reason she is supposed to have a change of clothes in her backpack, and what happened to that? And she just kinda went "I dunno...its there..."

I then told her I was extremely angry, because she had a change of clothes and still forced me to come up here. Then I asked, who exaggerated? The nurse or her? Cuz if it was the nurse I need to go chew her out for this ridiculousness. Then she tells me, "No mommy, it was me. Please don't go yell at anyone." 

I'm just so pissed, at the nurse (because it was quite fucking obvious that she was not, in fact, soaking wet) and at Shayla, who is such a fucking drama queen that she's forcing me to do things like this when there was absolutely no need to. 

Poor Connor was dragged out in the cold and forced to throw up in my backpack (which my wallet was in, by the way. And now I need a new one for Christmas because that bag/wallet will forever smell of sour snot vomit). He definitely did not need to be out in the cold. 

This ridiculousness needs to stop. I'm so over this drama queen bullshit. 

JonBenet Ramsey: My Opinions

So I'm seeing a lot of stuff about the JonBenet Ramsey case, because it's the 20 year anniversary. I have some opinions, yay for armchair detectives!

I'm 99% certain they will never actually find the killer, because the whole case was so severely mishandled/botched by the police. 

That entire police force came off as incompetent, had no idea how to handle a murder case, and quite possibly a missing person case (but, and I'm not a police officer so I don't know, but I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to just let people wander the crime scene, nor let the family/friends help search the house for the missing person. Seems like common sense).

It makes 0 sense that the ransom note was written on pen and paper found inside the home. I...I can't even go there. It raises a red flag for me that will never entirely exclude the family from at least knowing something happened. 

Oh, they found DNA evidence, you say? I bet I could find some too, after about a billion people handled the poor girl's body. 

Personally, I feel like the parents/family have to have some knowledge of what happened to that poor little girl. I understand that the DNA evidence excluded them, BUT I'm not entirely sure I trust it, considering the botched circumstances. From the way the parents acted the whole time, the father going 'right to' the body AFTER the house had been searched, what twice? The ransom note specifying the exact amount of bonus the father got? That part gets me the most. That says it HAS to be someone 'on the inside'. It's too far-fetched that someone could randomly pull that number out of thin air. 

Why, if the mother had gone to bed, was she still in the party dress? I mean, I guess she could have slept naked, rolled out of bed and grabbed the first thing she could find to put on, but I find that kind of a stretch. Maybe the parents were up later and fell asleep in the party clothes. Was the father still in his though? No one has ever mentioned. 

What about the police officer who supposedly overheard the father finalizing airline tickets. Who the heck does something like that when your fucking child is missing?! That blows my mind. I guess I wouldn't know for sure how I'd act but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be sitting around playing video games or something if my kid was missing. I'm pretty sure I'd be panicked and possibly inconsolable, I might go on a cleaning spree but I'd be sobbing and/or completely erratic, not getting much done. I don't feel, if my child was missing, that is be able to stay calm. Much less so if she were dead. 

As for rumors that the child showed signs of 'ongoing sexual assault'? I buy it. Really. I'm heard theories about elite pedophile rings the family was involved in, etc, but I think it's likely that they 'pimped her out', so to speak. 

I have always felt there was something fishy going on here, but I don't feel the death was an intention murder. I feel  like it was probably an accident by a man who was given access to this poor girl for sexual reasons. 

The grand jury felt compelled enough by whatever evidence presented them that they were going to indict the parents on several counts, including involvement in the death of a minor under 16 (I think that's the correct wording). Again, I have always felt the parents were involved in some way with their daughter's death, be it covering up for one of her brothers, their son, or covering for each other, or for someone they knew. 

Say what you want, point to whatever evidence you want, but it's crystal clear that the case was so mishandled, so botched, and the officers involved so incompetent, that this case will never be solved, short of someone outright admitting to their guilt. 

Is it called 'The Goddess Test'?

Hey fellow readers:

I read this book a couple years ago, and it was about a high school-ish girl, and she meets a guy who turns out to be Hades and she's supposed to basically become his new wife cuz Persephone was a b***h and left him. 

I can't remember what the book is called but I know it's a series of some kind and I want to read the rest. Unfortunately when I try to google it, nothing comes up. Seriously. And I don't remember what it was called. 

So if anyone knows anything, please comment and let me know. I'm practically desperate. 

Readers vs. Bookworms

Some people are born with magic touching the edges of their consciousness, dancing through their minds, in and out, all day long. It's something that will be with them forever, something they can always call on, always rely on. 

Others, the poor, sad souls who lead magic-free lives, don't understand, frown upon it, make fun of these creatures. They berate and belittle these beautiful beings, whose lives are a constantly magical, beautiful, wonderful place. They live with jealousy on their subconscious, jealous of the magic. 

And still others, try as they might, that wish upon every star, every well, yet will never truly harness it for their own. The magic will never be the same for them, never respond in the same way, never dance through their minds as it does for these lovely creatures. They worship them, long to be like them, and practice day in, day out, struggling and never truly understanding, longing to experience the magic in the same way. 

These beautiful, magical creatures are called 'bookworms' and 'nerds' because they know the magic of a book. They know the experience of losing themselves in a piece, no matter what form it takes, and awakening in the magical world of literature. To close your eyes, in your drab, dreary home, and awaken in a brilliant land, be it snow covered as far as the eye can see, ruled by a cruel White Witch, or the amazing castle of Hogwarts, these readers will always know joy -- the joy found in any piece of literature, dancing the night away at vivacious parties with Gatsby, sailing the seas with Nemo and Ahab, or facing down great armies of the dead. These readers will always find the magic. 

Others might try, but they won't know it in the same way. They will keep it selfishly to themselves, instead of trying to share the beauty of a book. These Others will never know that feeling in your gut when you crack open a brand new, freshly printed book, or the subtle differences in the smells of libraries. The true beauty of a book can never be fully experienced by them, but they try. Oh they try. And that is an admirable thing indeed. 

Would you Share The Book You're Reading if Asked?

Today, my friend told me that her husband asked her to read an excerpt of the book she was reading aloud to him, and when she refused, and he got a little miffed at her over it. She feels that books are her escape route from the real world, and that reading it aloud would diminish the sacred nature of the 'book world' it's created. She wanted my feelings on the situation. Her two-part question asks: would I have acted the same way, and/or was she being selfish/childish? Here's what I replied:

I can't really say for sure, personally, what should or should not have done in this situation because every person is different. We all experience a book in a different way.

Chance and I read a lot of the same books, so either he's already read what I'm reading (or plans to later), or sometimes we read aloud to each other (mostly he reads aloud and I listen because I really like to hear his voice), and other times we sit there and read the book together. We really enjoy discussing the layers of meaning and all the little intricacies of whatever book we've read, and it's ever so much more meaningful when we both know the book, even more when we read it together (or separately but at the same time).

I completely agree with books being an escape, but for me, I want to share whatever magical fantasy world (I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction) I'm in with anyone who will listen, because I want everyone to love the book as much as I do. 

We read a lot in our house, though, and it's something we are teaching our kids to value. I never turn down reading to them when they ask (unless they ask at a really bad time, like when I'm in the bathroom or cooking. Then they have to wait). I can't count how many times I've read Harry Potter to my kids, and I eagerly await the day I can read Lord of the Rings to them (atm it'll just go over their heads too much, I feel). 

So in conclusion,no, I don't think you were being selfish. I really think it varies from person to person and is completely based on how you feel (of course, if it's gonna cause hurt feelings for one party or another, it's something that should be taken into account. "does this mean enough to me to hurt ___'s feelings by not sharing, or cause me to have hurt feelings because ___ doesn't understand how I feel about it'. It could be a good way to open a dialogue about how you both feel on the topic). 

A side note though, sometimes reading to each other (or your kids, or whoever) can create a new and different type of intimacy you wouldn't otherwise experience, because you are sharing this sacred and magical 'book world' with people you love and care about. It can not only enhance the book, by having a sharing experience, but it can be really enjoyable to share in the first place, depending on what you're reading.

It's not to say that I don't experience the same level of selfishness, I also just love reading so much and want to encourage it in everyone that I'm able to look past my personal feelings to welcome others into my book world with me. I want everyone to experience the same magic and excitement I experience (and I get really childishly hurt and upset if they don't feel the say way I do about the book).

It's all about personal viewpoints, I guess. You're never too old (or too young) to fall in love with a book. 

This leads to opportunities for lively and great discussion, and a lovely opening to create a dialogue with your partner on the subject of books and reading. Would you have acted the same? How do you feel about books and reading? Do you like to share your book?

Regardless of how anyone feels, books are a magical world to be shared with everyone. Anyone can become a reader at any age. Reading expands your mind and opens you to new experiences, all from the comfort of your own home.  It is vitally important that we teach our children the same love and respect for books that people like my fellow bookworms and I have, and nuture and develop a love of reading that extends well into their adult lives. No matter what genre you read, reading is vital to a child's learning and development, and if they see their parents/guardians/idols/care givers reading, it well help to foster and encourage a love of literature that will last through the ages. 

Remember, children learn by watching, so let them see you read! Let them see how important it is to you, and encourage them by reading to them, or if they are old enough to read on their own, praise them for choosing reading as a free-time activity. Establish rewards in your house for number of books read, or choosing to read a book instead of watching TV/playing video games. Nuture and encourage a love of reading, because all children can appreciate a trip to a magical new land, one they wouldn't have found on their own. 

One of my all time favorite things to do is curl up with a good book and read all day, and this is doubly, triply awesome when my kids want to do the same thing. I can't begin to find the words to describe how happy it makes me when my children ask me to read to them. There's nothing like having your toddler bring you a book and say 'Lets read, mommy.' For me, it's truly one of the most beautiful things in the world, seeing my kids love books as much as I do.

Horror Movie Dream

I had a really horrifying dream, which could also make a really great horror story (up until the end part when I wake up), if I (or anyone else) ever feels like writing it. I just can't write horror, it freaks me out.  So if you want to, let me know, let me read it, and give me credit for the idea, ok?

Here it is:

There was a crazy woman who thought there were wraiths-soulless people-zombies in her house. They just stood/sat around and didn't hurt anyone. Anyway she threw them all out of the house, while screaming at her kids how they never help her do anything, and she locked the house up. Then it kinda skips to me (bot not ME me) and this other woman at the crazy woman's house. I don't know how we got to the house or inside, but there was a little boy with us that ran out of the house (so I assume he belongs to the crazy woman. I remember a discussion between me and the other woman and Whitney, prior to this scene, about checking on the woman. Then when Whitney didn't return after about 2 hours, we discussed going to the house.  I remember it wasn't more than a 10 minute drive from where we were, and I remember the drive too, but not like I experienced it, but more like recalling the memory of a memory. It was tranquil and pleasant and it was a drive through a rolling pastures type countryside.

Anyway, we are running through the house, which is on fire, and we are getting the kids out (there's like 5, ranging from 8 months to 10 years), untying them trying to help them. And I'm looking for a woman named Whitney (i don't know why, but her name sticks in my head), and I find her tied standing up bent over a baby crib (that has a sewing machine and fabrics in it for some reason) and gagged, and I'm untying her and we are rushing to get the ropes off when she screams and I spin around and it's the woman (who's a foot or so taller than me), and she's got a huge knife. Suddenly she stabs herself, like repeatedly, like she's hypnotized, and so I grab Whitney and we start to run.

I jerked awake at this point and I look over at Connor, who's asleep in the bed with me, and the woman is right there behind him, like I saw her face laying asleep on the pillow. I screamed and fell off the bed, then got up and beat the pillow with my pillow, smacking Connor in the process, and he did not care one lick.

 I really wanna say the dream was set in the 1920s, but we drove a 50s-60s era vehicle to the house. Our clothes were casual, shorts and plaid short or sleeveless shirts, I'd call it a casual, wanna be country, surburban housewife style. The Woman wore a long front buttoned dress that really could have been any era, but definitely felt like something 'country'. The children, I ant really remember, but the 2 youngest children were in white dresses and caps. One of the ghost kids was a boy, 8-10 aged, in a dark blue pair of shorts with a jacket shirt thing, reminds me of an early 1900s schoolboy type outfit with a matching newsboy cap. The dream felt like we were in the past, but I can't pinpoint it. Anywhere from 1900-1970s, I guess. 

So that's all I've got, and like I said, it was really interesting and confusing and strange and scary.