I would like to clear up a few misconceptions regarding Valentines Day, first off it is not a made up holiday. It is a real holiday, celebrated as far back as the 5th century; we celebrate it to honor St Valentine. He gave his life in roughly 260 AD defying the Roman government by marrying Christian couples.
It is thought that Valentines and a pagan holiday became merged, which could be the case, as Christmas incorporates some pagan traditions as well. It was Pope Gelasius that declared February 14th St. Valentine’s Day, so I guess we can actually blame the Catholics for this holiday.
It is a holiday that is all about love, romantic love at that, written Valentines began appearing in Great Britain in the 1700’s, strangely enough, not by a greeting card company. So I guess you all can take that excuse out of your arsenal, interesting, excuses are beginning to dwindle.
I for one like Valentine’s Day, it seems like people are nicer, they smile a little bit more, say hello with a more friendly tone and just look nicer. Maybe we should all strive to be a little more romantic in our daily lives. Wait, no, I don’t think I could keep that up, I am not a romantic person by nature, this is just wrong!
Anyway, Valentine’s Day, not a made up holiday, celebrate with the one you love or the one that loves you.
Oh and in the interest of full disclosure, before writing this I had two Venti Starbucks, fully caffeinated treats, one diet coke and one coke float.
A Love Letter to Owasso High School
On Valentines Day I would like to write a love letter to my hometown, Owasso, Oklahoma. On Twitter and Facebook I learned about something extraordinary, the Owasso Rams Boys Basketball team started a twitter campaign to Dress Nathan Out.
Who is Nathan you ask, well, Nathan is a special needs student who attends Owasso High; he is the manager for the basketball team. The boys wanted him to have the chance to dress out, for non sports people this means he would get to put on the Owasso Rams uniform. For Nathan this would be a first, he has never gotten to wear the uniform he so proudly supports.
The team started a twitter campaign, the community joined in, then it went viral, Toby Keith started tweeting about it along with several other celebrities. I even started tweeting about it, the coach’s daughter brought all of the support to his attention and he called the opposing team and discussed it with them. Sand Springs has about as big a heart as Owasso and instantly agreed. The next hurdle was the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association. The only question they had was if he was eligible in all respects. He was. His grades were on track, he was physically able and all parties signed off on Nathan dressing out.
He not only dressed out, he dressed out in style, the Sand Springs team sent Nathan a gift of new shoes to wear with his uniform. Not only did he get to put the uniform on, he got to play, and play he did, he scored eight points in all, including two three-pointers, helping bring Owasso the win, 75-55.
Owasso has always had a big heart, now the world knows it, I am so proud to be from a community that fosters such camaraderie, such caring. When the youth of a community unite together to make one young man feel special you know the adults have done something really right. I have high hopes for the next generation of Owassoans, I fully expect to hear amazing things from these amazing young people.
So, today, on this day of love, I want to tell you all, the students of Owasso High School, I love you, I love your heart, your tenacity, your example, your overwhelming sense of giving and above all I love your ability to make things happen. You totally rock. Happy Valentines Day to you all.
Irritated
So, a woman in New Zealand drank copious amounts of soda, smoked 30 cigarettes a day and died at a young age. Who else is shocked that this woman died? She had eight children, apparently one who was born without tooth enamel. People are blaming Coca-Cola for this woman’s untimely death. Seriously? This is where you are pointing a finger? Why not the woman’s 30 cigarette a day habit? Why not point the finger at the woman herself, she had an issue, she had eight children that she could not seem to care about, because if she did care she would not have been smoking like that, would have eaten sensible meals, would not have lived on soda alone.
I’m sorry but I don’t feel bad for this woman, I feel bad for the children left behind, I feel bad for the people who will now have to take them in and raise them. But the woman who died? No, I don’t feel bad for her.
Seriously people when will it stop? The blame game, it seems no one wants to take responsibility for their own actions. I have an addiction to chocolate, I know this, I own it, I do not blame Godiva. I am addicted to coffee, I do not blame Starbucks. I learn to curb my addictions, to put limits on myself, to take responsibility for my life.
We have bred a society of people who take no ownership of their issues, with the advent of Jerry Springer, Sally Jessy Raphael, Montel Williams and yes, even Oprah, people have learned they can blame others for their shortcomings. When will this end? That is the big question, these people that like to blame others for their own inadequacies are having children to which they will pass this belief.
It’s time to put an end to it, just stop, you have issues, embrace them, own them, then fix what doesn’t work. I have issues, I embrace them, I get rid of the ones that hold me back, others I brag about. I urge all of you out there that are playing the blame game to look in the mirror. The only one you have to blame for your problems is you. Fixing your life starts with you, if you are drinking 10 liters of Coke a day, knock it off, 30 cigarettes a day, stop it. Do what you need to do to correct the bad habits in your life. Especially if you have children, why would you want to take the chance that you are going to die young and leave your children parentless? You know these are health effecting things. Pure insanity.
Birthday Synopsis
Well, my birthday weekend is over, the month continues, in the immortal words of Tracy Lawrence, Time Marches On. I had the best birthday this year, not just due to the presents but due to the fact I got to have lunch with Jeffrey, Elizabeth and Alex. It was not only enjoyable but fun, I have really funny kids, they have the most amazing humor. So happy I was chosen to be their mom, the only missing element was Tessa.
Let’s see, I know you want to know what I got, so I shall go down the list in order of birth, from Jeffrey I got a Starbucks gift card, he told me he knows how much I love my “Friday” coffee treats. Very thoughtful!
From Elizabeth a new Coach purse, all three of my Coach purses have come from her; this one is the trademark brown, only with purple trim! It is so pretty! I immediately had to empty the old one and put everything in the new one!
Alex gave me the gift of pampering; he got me a gift certificate for a mani/pedi at a salon called the Beverly Hills Salon! I get to be a movie star! How cool is that? I can go in with my coffee treat, holding my purse and get the star treatment.
The Irishman, I know you are all wondering about him, well, he gave me the gift of communication. I got the new IPhone 5, at first I was like, my IPhone 4 works fine, but then we got to the Apple store and I fell in love with the white one. Then Siri talked to me! OMG I think I am in love with Siri! It was a very cool and thoughtful gift.
He and I had a combination of lunch and dinner, at the Londoner in Allen, it was nice, it was a really nice day.
Next year I don’t know if I want to acknowledge my birthday as it will be a huge one, a really huge one. I don’t even want to say the number, I don’t feel this number, I feel like I am maybe 25, however I know my body is going to start betraying me, that I will eventually just cave. I really don’t want to get osteoporosis, which really terrifies me. My grandmother had it and her spine curved, I know it caused her a lot of pain, she never complained about it, but I know it was not fun. I remember the doctors wanted her to wear a metal contraption that would help straighten her spine, but that was more painful than the actual curvature, so she quit wearing it.
On that note I will say goodbye and go eat my yogurt for the calcium!
Accent Thursday
I don’t listen to country music, I would just like to get that out there, well, for the most part, the other part of me thinks what girl doesn’t need a little Tim McGraw from time to time. I was raised on so many genres of music it is hard to explain why I am so loathe to admit listening to this one. I loved Johnny Cash, June Carter, Loretta Lynne and the Oak Ridge Boys when I was growing up. I always loved Alice Cooper, Kiss, ZZ Top and the Commodores, I know, very odd listening habits. As I grew older, disco invaded my life, we have stayed in close contact over they years, my constant companion. However, there are days I must cheat, today was one of those days, not my fault, I have plausible deniability.
I jumped in my car at lunch and when I turned the key over, the soothing tones of Tim McGraw filled the air, I was shocked, how did this happen. Somehow my car radio was set to a country station; I promise you this was not my doing. I did nothing to change the situation, I felt guilt, my old friend disco was waiting for me on 88.5, I still did nothing.
Then it happened, I began to sing along, the absolute horror, then it happened, the very reason I do not listen to country music. When I stopped the car and went inside my destination, I heard the accent come out of my mouth. When I listen to country music my Southern accent is more pronounced. It’s as if someone else takes over and controls my vocal cords, I am helpless to stop it. As helpless as I am to stop my Oklahoma accent whenever I cross the border that takes me home.
I don’t even know how it happens, I don’t know anyone else who experiences this phenomenon, if you do, please tell me. I worked hard at not having an accent and for the most part I succeed, except when I want to have one, but there are times, the most unfortunate times when it comes out. And I am paralyzed, not with fear but with disbelief, where did it come from.
That is the question of the day, where do these accents come from? My parents didn’t have one, my grandmother, well; she had a southern one, and very southern sayings that to this day I repeat. Did I obtain it when I lived in Georgia? No, I had it before then, who can really know for sure where it came from. I think I was born with it, what I would really like to know is where the California Valley girl came from. She is shocking, and yes I have always had that accent, even in school, before it was immortalized by the movie staring the brilliant Nicholas Cage.
Back to me and country music, I am completely enamored by Nashville right now; perhaps that is where the accent is coming from. The show comes on Wednesday nights, I watch Thursday mornings, my accent seems to appear on Thursdays. My longing to listen to Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Tracy Lawrence and Toby Keith emerge then as well.
I do believe I have solved the mystery of my accent heavy Thursdays.
Theories and Such
I have Starbucks today; I also had them add an extra shot in my coffee treat, welcome to my Friday. I actually had time to go to my favorite Starbucks on the corner of Park and Custer, love them. Tomorrow I am going to pick up the pictures from Tessa’s Fairy photo session, I am so excited! This place was just wonderful, their website is http://enchanted-fairies.com check them out when you get a chance. All of the employees treated Tess like she was a fairy princess, I highly recommend them.
Tonight I am going to the DMA (Dallas Museum of Art) with friends, every Thursday the month of February they are having a free jazz concert. So, I suggested going this Thursday as an outing for the Ladies that Lunch. Not everyone can go as it is a weeknight; however there are several of us willing to brave the night and I know we are going to have a blast.
I am really enjoying being on the radio, I know I talk about it often, but it is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. I love talking, I love saying whatever is on my mind, granted we have the shows planned out and for the most part tend to stick on topic. Easy to do in a 15 minute show, I wonder what will happen when we go longer. I know eventually that we will I can totally see this going to an hour long live show, taking calls, fielding questions. Can you imagine? Me, live, talking to people! The thought is absolutely heady.
Can I be honest here for a moment? I am so happy that football season is over, I am not a sports girl, never have been, never will be. I have a theory about women who watch sports, or profess to watch them. Yes, I said profess, I know I have a couple of female friends who do not fit in with my theory, but the majority do. Hence the theory, people form theories for a reason, and I have a keen eye for this sort of thing.
I have theories about a lot of things in life, some I share willingly, some not so much, this is one theory I tend to not spout in public. Mainly because women who are doing this for one of the reasons I believe they are have no desired to be called out. The other side of the theory, well if those women are not admitting who they are, they don’t want me calling attention to what I believe. Wow, how much more cryptic could I be?
I will sign off for now, you will probably hear from me Saturday, the day before my birthday, but probably not.
Early Present
So, I had something strange happen yesterday, when I collected the mail I had a surprise delivery. The magazine Guideposts was sitting in my mailbox, why is this strange you ask. Well, I didn’t order a subscription to Guideposts, I know you are still wondering the significance of this happening, I’ll explain.
When my mom was alive she would give me a subscription to Guideposts for Christmas every year. I loved it; I loved all of the uplifting stories, real stories of real people experiencing miracles, small and large. Stories of God’s constant presence, stories that would make me laugh, cry and just feel good. Since my mom passed away I have not received the magazine.
My birthday is Sunday, I feel like I have been given a gift from my mom. I don’t know how this ended up in my mailbox, I am going to go with divine intervention, it has my name on it, my correct address, not a place I lived when my mom was alive, so I know it was not something lingering in their system. I am going to consider it an early Birthday present; perhaps God is sending it in place of my snow.
A strange, wonderful present, I am not going to analyze it, which is my habit, I am just going to enjoy my present from my mom.
Snow Wishes
The drive in was very strange, the fog was thicker than I have ever seen it, I fully expected the Wolfman to jump out at every stop. The Lon Chaney Wolfman, not the Seth Green Oz version. Disconcerting at best, flat out scary at worst, however I made it safe and sound. Nothing jumped out and went bump in the darkness, on the one hand disappointing, the other hand, yay me.
So I read today in the news that Russia has their very own version of the Loch Ness monster, I wonder now if tourists will flock to that country to simply catch a glimpse of the beast. Why now is the question, if, as they claim, this beast has been sighted throughout the years for over 100 years. Why now to come out with the information? It is not exactly the tourist capitol of the world, when I hear Russia, I know I don’t want to jump up and make travel plans. It’s too cold for even me, and the people do not have a reputation for being friendly. I will stick with Scotland for my water monster tour.
My birthday is Sunday and there is not a hint of snow in the future, I have to ponder the question, is God unhappy with me? Why is He keeping the snow from me? I know He knows it comforts me; it reminds me there is great beauty in the world, when everything is going wrong, snow is the one thing that is right in my world. I will figure it out; I will cut out whatever is making Him angry with me. Last year I gladly gave up snow so Chewie could have it in heaven, now it is time for him to send some back to me.
I have my coffee perhaps that should be enough to tell me of God’s love for me, I’ll take it. In case you missed the show Saturday evening, it is now up on the website, http://www.convosate.com, it really is a great show. It is about forgiveness, us forgiving others as God forgives us. I am in awe of the talent that surrounds me. Shanon J is nothing short of amazing, we record and she edits the shows as well as being on air talent. She makes me sound good! Check us out; I am positive you will not be disappointed.
More Parenting Rant
Now that I have gotten on the subject of parenting I can’t seem to let it go! well here goes another rant, I have been told over the years that I am lucky that I have good kids. Luck? Luck had nothing to do with my children and how they behaved and continue to behave. It was by hard work, discipline and raising them in church. Yes I fully believe raising them in church had a huge part of how they turned out.
I remember one time, when Elizabeth Anne was about 2, before Alex was born, we were in Wal-Mart and she was just sitting in the cart, calm, no issues and I saw a woman from church. This woman had a child about a month older than Elizabeth that was out of control, running up and down the aisle, pulling things off the shelf, she was saying, “now honey” ugh. She looked up and saw us, and she said how do you do that? I said, do what, she said get her to just sit there. I looked her straight in the eye and said healthy fear. Elizabeth Anne, even at that age knew there would be consequences to running up and down the aisle and behaving badly. This woman allowed her child to rule her home and there were never consequences to any actions.
Sure there have been rebellions over the years, however when you set clear-cut rules, with clear-cut consequences for actions, and follow through, there will be fewer of those outbreaks.
I actually had a child correct me once, not my child mind you, in my own home! I was so shocked that a child would correct an adult. I looked at that 7-year-old and said never do that again. This is my home, you never correct an adult, you might be able to do that in your home with your mother, but never with me. Shocking that this child was so casual in her correcting. I was honestly floored.
Same child was allowed to run wild in public, I put an end to that when she was with me, she was running wild in the mall and I told her that if she continued I was going to march her to security and call her mother to come and get her. The look on her face was priceless, no adult in her life had ever taken her to task before. Same child no longer behaves that way in my presence. It was crazy.
When I hear horror stories of some people’s children I think, it is true, what you sow you so shall reap. If you sow the seeds of discipline issues, of disrespect, of passiveness, of godlessness, then when these children are older you will reap that. If you sow the seeds of respectfullness, an ability to speak their mind without being rude, if you sow the seeds of faithfulness, of showing them the love of God, the holy spirit, Jesus, then when they are older they will return to that if they do turn away for a while.
If you let your children know there are real consequences for their actions, you are preparing them for the world, preparing them for the workplace, for life. If you do not, you are preparing them for a life of discontent. Your choice, will you choose wisely?
Elusive Creature
Yesterday I took Tessa and the Irishman’s girls to lunch and playtime at McDonald’s, fun for them, typically incredibly loud for me. Usually I see parents who do not parent, you know the ones; “little Johnny don’t do that, oh hahaha boys will be boys” I will be honest, I hate passive parents.
I was sitting there, and a woman walked in with her four children, two older boys, a little girl and a baby, they proceeded to have their lunch then the older children ran off to play. When they were done playing they came back to their mother and said they were ready for desert.
The mother sat up a little straighter and proceeded to let the boys know there would be no desert for them, the boy began to speak and she said no, I was very clear before we even got into the car. I said that if you fought in the car on the way over there would be no desert for whoever was fighting. You and your brother went at it like animals, sister did not fight, she is the only one who gets desert. The older of the two boys began to speak, trying to negotiate a desert for himself. Trying to justify the fight, the mother looked him in the eye and said you are not a terrorist, there will be no negotiations, my word is final, perhaps next time you will think twice before fighting. She then made the boys go and purchase the sisters desert. I love this woman, there was no yelling, she was calm, she let them know that she had already told them the consequences of their actions and followed through.
It has renewed my faith in the younger generations ability to parent, I love this woman, I don’t know her, I am not likely to ever lay eyes on her again, however I think she rocks.
Too many times I see parents being lazy regarding their duties as the leaders of their own households, one or more of the children run the household. When did this happen? I was the undisputed leader of my household, the children did not dictate the actions of the household. The parent residing there did, it is unconscionable what is happening in this country. Parents are getting lazy, some not all, as I have witnessed, but when children dictate what they have for meal times, resulting in obese children, children no longer are told to go outside and play they are given controllers to video games. Resulting in lazy, obese children, given soda instead of water, given cookies and candy instead of fruit. Shocking is what it is, however, due to this one woman in McKinney, TX I have hope, I have hope there are others like her out there.
Parents, if your child is running the roost, make some changes, I beg you, for the health of our country, mentally and physically, take control, say no to soda, say no to candy, say no to nothing but junk for the mind and body. Take your children outside, make some hard rules, follow the rules yourself and have some follow through. Stop allowing the terrorist to hold you hostage, no more negotiations, run your households!
Angie World 