It’s A Charlie Brown Christmas

December 11, 2009 by

Look, it’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. The economy has affected many people and places, I think this is a perfect display of where we are in this country. This tree is displayed in Concord, CA. Because of budget restraints, they were unable to put out $23,000 for a cut tree. Instead, they decided to use a tree that was already standing. This tree was chosen because it was close to electrical outlets. They believed using this tree to show their Christmas spirit was better than nothing. I agree. 
When I first looked at it, my reaction was dang what kind of tree is this. The city of Concord said it is getting mixed reactions with the tree. Many residents feel the tree is pathetic, they have always had beautiful trees on display. Some residents look at the tree as being unique. My initial reaction was that it was pathetic too. As I read the story and thought about where we are in this country, I appreciated the tree.
What would your reaction be if this was the tree your town displayed? Before I read this story I had been thinking about the fact that Christmas has become so commercialized. At times, I believe we’ve lost the true meaning of Christmas in this country. People spend thousands of dollars purchasing gifts and for the next year they struggle to pay off the debt. I used to be one of them, but I woke up years ago and relinquished my membership in the debt club. I make as many gifts as I can, be it a scarf for the kids, gift basket or a scrapbook. My family seems to appreciate the home made gifts so much more. You can’t put a price on a gift where someone has taken time and energy to make something for you.
For me Christmas is about the birth of Christ and spending time with family and friends not so much the gifts. I love cooking, making cookies and other treats, and just relaxing. I do enjoy watching the children laugh and play, and that’s where I spend my money on the children. When I looked at the tree displayed in Concord, CA I wondered why someone didn’t donate a tree to the town. Christmas is after all about giving. The state of California has beautiful mountains and evergreens. It simply would have been a matter of cutting it down and hauling it to the specified location. Oh, that’s right someone would have to take the time to do that. Everyone is so busy these days, who has time to help someone in need.
I admire the town in their attempt to show their Christmas spirit on a budget. Most people would have been too embarrassed to admit they were struggling and just couldn’t afford it, but wanted to participate in the celebration with what they had. I believe there is a lesson to be learned with this Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It’s a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior would have been pleased.
 
I would love to know your thoughts on this Charlie Brown Christmas tree. Please leave us a comment.
Filed Under: Charlie Brown Christms, Christmas trees, holiday spirit, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Do You Give Your Child A Sugar High?

December 10, 2009 by

Moms you will be glad to know General Mills has agreed to reduce the sugar content in their cereal by 25%. I’m glad Sonny the Cuckoo Bird will remain the same. He’s so cute, and he’s Coocoo for Cocoa Puffs. Even though I don’t give my 2 year old grandson cold cereal at this point, I’m glad to hear that General Mills will be helping to instill healthy eating in our children.

Our country has a big problem with obesity, that includes childhood obesity. I don’t blame our children for being overweight, I blame the large corporations for promoting sweets, fast food and other junk. I also blame the schools and parents for serving it. I didn’t give my daughter many sweets when she was growing up. She was a serious dancer from the age of 5 through college. As a result, she became very disciplined with her eating habits and very weight conscious. I, however, did not follow the restrictions that I placed on her and I am now paying a price for it. Getting the excess weight off has become a struggle for me and many other Americans.

We live in the land of good and plenty. In most countries people are starving. We reward ourselves and our children with food. Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Chucky E Cheese and many others gear their products toward children. They ask for it, we give it to them. Children aren’t concerned about their health and they shouldn’t be held accountable for the foods they consume. They want what tastes good and they want to have fun. They want immediate gratification. We as parents must make better choices for them and for ourselves. Obesity starts with being 5 pounds overweight and than it increases to 10, 20, 30 and before we know it we’re struggling to get 50 plus pounds off.

Because I’m struggling with my weight, I’m careful of what I serve to my grandson. I also think that many parents feed their children cold cereals because it’s quick and easy. Many mothers work outside the home and they don’t have time to turn 0n the stove before they head out. When they get home in the evening they prepare the quickest and easiest meals not necessarily the healthiest.

General Mills is coming under fire for promoting foods that contain too much sugar. A study showed that General Mills made six out of ten of the least healthiest cereals. The study also showed that the least healthiest cereals were the most advertised and were geared toward children. General Mills also makes Trix, Kix, Boo Berry, and Lucky Charms among others. I do love their healthier Honey Nut Cheerios.

Do we blame our children for being overweight or do we blame our businesses for promoting unhealthy eating? Do we blame our children for being overweight or do we blame the providers of the food? As a mother, I know the struggles of trying to get a child to eat healthy. They don’t want veggies or fruit. They want candy, ice cream, McDonald’s, and pizza. You know the routine. Our children are less active these days too. Their world revolves around the computer, texting, and video games. Rarely do you see children outside riding bikes, skating, playing hide and seek or hop scotch.

Personally, I think we need to bond as a country and work together to eliminate obesity. Starting with the companies who are making and promoting sugary and fattening foods is a good start. They next step is working at home to ensure our children understand the consequences of unhealthy eating.

I applaud General Mills for reducing the amount of sugar in their cereals. Do you instill healthy eating habits in your child? Please share a few healthy foods you promote.


Filed Under: cereals, children's eating habits, children's snacks, fast foods, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Frosty Discusses Sex With Children

December 9, 2009 by

Frosty the Snowman 640

When I think of Frosty The Snowman, I think of a jolly little fellow who’s laughing and playing with children not promoting porn and bullwhips. CBS is behind a video that has crossed the line in more ways than one.  How can you use a character that is so loved by children and associate him with sex and violence and think it’s a joke. What is happening to our country people? They believed it was harmless fun. WTH? We’re not talking about teens who put the video together, but executives who are paid six digits plus a year who are the masterminds. I use the word mastermind loosely.

I am appalled, I am offended, I’m feeling frosty. Not only do they have Frosty The Snowman talking about going to a strip club, but he discusses breast size, how many women he’s been with, and knocking someone up. They have a child calling someone a whore. To top it off, he states that he hits girls and babies. What kind of person would create this type of ad, and who was the idiot that approved it? The ad/video is running on CBS’ website and Youtube. Thank goodness they had enough sense to not air it on TV.

Apparently, CBS believed this video was an appropriate way to promote Frosty The Snowman, which will air on their network December 18, and the show How I Met Your Mother. I’m still trying to understand the logic and how anyone could believe this was a good idea. I’ve been unsuccessful. Both the creator and approvers should be fired. Thank goodness my sweetie is too young to google.  Can you imagine your child coming across this video? I purchased a Frosty The Snowman DVD last Christmas for my grandson with the intention of making it a holiday tradition. I loved Frosty when I was growing up. Never in my wildest dreams did I see Frosty hanging out at a strip club, drooling over women’s breast or telling someone they should have engaged in sex because they couldn’t knock someone up. How can you take something so innocent and turn it into trash?

I’m not a big fan of CBS, but I do watch the network occasionally. I am now questioning this station and its management. Several reporters have tried to contact the station to question them about the video. Phone calls are not being returned. I wonder why? Could it be they are afraid they will put their foot in their mouths when they try to explain the video. While they’re trying to pull their foot out of their mouth, someone should put a foot up CBS’ ass.
Feel free to leave your opinion, we would love to hear it.

Filed Under: CBS, Frosty The Snowman, inappropriate advertisement, inappropriate cartoons for children, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Wordless Wednesday: Two Left Shoes?

December 9, 2009 by
Do you see anything wrong in this picture? He has his shoes on the wrong foot, lol.  He’s Mr. Independent, he wants to do everything himself.  Most days this is the end result.

Filed Under: independent children, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Wordless Wednesday: Parking Lots

November 25, 2009 by
    Look, Daddy’s a Parking Lot!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Mattel’s Burqa Barbie Controversy

November 23, 2009 by

Barbie is involved in another controversy, i.e. Burqa Barbie. It seems that Mattel has offended some Islamic women, and they’re demanding that Mattel take note. Mattel has produced 500 Barbies in a Burqa for auction in Italy. The auction is part of Barbie’s 50th anniversary. Proceeds will go to the Rewrite the Future, a charity, which helps millions of children around the world effected by conflict.

A representative from Mattel has stated, “I think this is really important for girls, wherever they are from they should have the opportunity to play with a Barbie that they feel represents them”.

Muslim women are offended because the Burqa is not a true representation of Islamic dress, so where is Mattel coming from? Islamic women are fighting to not have to wear a Burqa. The Burqa is believed by Muslim women to be a garment forced on them during the Taliban, it is not mentioned in the Quran; therefore, it should not be seen as a part of their traditional dress. The Quran is our Bible. They see the Burqa as a means to oppress women. Muslim women are required to wear Hijabs, a scarf, to cover their heads and to dress modestly only. The Burqa is worn over a woman’s normal dress when she is outside the home in some Islamic countries. It is made to cover them from head to toe. Because of political instability, it was seen as a way of protecting women so they were forced to wear them.

I normally don’t post on religious or cultural issues, but I believe this concern was important enough to bring to light. Especially since it involved a toy maker. I am somewhat knowledgeable of Islam and I am aware that Islamic women are fighting for rights as women. Rights that we take for granted in this country. Muslim women believe that Mattel should have taken the time to understand the Islamic culture and what it represents before they produced a doll that supposedly represents traditional Islamic dress. Especially, a Barbie doll that little girls will be playing with. Burqas are currently the center of a big controversy in Western Europe. They are being banned because they are not a part of the traditional Islamic dress.I posted on the Burqa Barbie because so many problems are created simply because statements and opinions are formed without having all the facts. What’s funny is Mattel’s Barbie has been banned in most Islamic countries. They see her as being too westernized for their little girls. She has been replaced with the Fulla doll (shown above). This doll is more culturally correct as far as Islamic dress than the Burqa Barbie produced by Mattel.

I patronize Mattel and I will continue; however, a little research will go a long way when it comes to cultural and religious issues. Do you think Mattel should have done their homework before they produced a culturally incorrect Barbie? Do you think the focus was on money rather than the fight of Islamic women for their rights? Would love to hear your thoughts on the Burqa Barbie.

Filed Under: Barbie, Barbie dolls, Burka, Islam, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Don’t Air Your Laundry In This Neighborhood

November 19, 2009 by

I remember the day when sheets, towels, jeans and shirts would have been hanging from these clothes pins. Few people hang their laundry outside these days. I for one don’t, but both of my neighbors hang their laundry out. I have often thought about purchasing a clothes line, but only for a brief moment.

Watching my neighbors hang their laundry has brought back memories of wringer washes, wash tubs, scrub boards, and spray starch. My mother had a wringer washer and clothes line for years. She starched more shirts and doilies than I care to count. I remember getting my fingers caught in that damn wringer on many occasions too. I did love the smell of my sheets when I was growing up. They always smelled so fresh. On the other hand, I also have memories of frozen jeans, stiff towels and cold fingers from being out in the cold and taking the laundry down. It’s those memories that make me run thankfully to my dryer where I can open it to find nice, warm, wrinkle free laundry.

Did you know there’s a fight going on in America over laundry? Women want the right to air their laundry, but local ordinances are keeping laundry out of backyards. It seems that most developers place this restriction in their covenants, but 5 states have made it a law that you can hang your laundry in your yard. These state include: Florida, Utah, Maine, Vermont, Colorado, and Hawaii. Additional states are thinking about lifting the ban on airing laundry. It seems that in most states neighbors aren’t interested in seeing other neighbor’s sheets and/or unmentionables blowing in the wind. Many believe it trashes the neighborhood. Gone are the days of wringer washers and wash tubs on the back porch, but shouldn’t a home owner have the right to hang boxers, bras and booty shorts out if they wish?

I don’t find either of my neighbor’s laundry embarrassing or trashy. I must admit I have glanced at the undies and wondered if my ass was big as the briefs they had hanging on their line, and vowed to hit the treadmill more often. Other than that, it’s just laundry.

Laundry blowing in the wind used to be a common sight in the neighborhood when I was growing up, but we didn’t live in a neighborhood of $200,00, $300,000 or $400,000 homes either. People seem to be focused more on looks rather than saving energy and having fresh smelling sheets these days. Seeing laundry in the backyards of homes of this caliber is most unusual, but Project Laundry List may end the ban on sheets blowing in the wind in the swankiest of neighborhoods. They are fighting for the rights of home owners everywhere to air their laundry.

It’s doubtful that I will join in the fight to air my dainties. Although I do miss the smell of fresh sheets, I love my dryer and the delicate cycle too much. I do wish those who want to hang their laundry in their yard the best.

Will you be joining the fight? Leave us a comment and let us know if you or your neighbors hang your laundry out and your thoughts.

Filed Under: airing dirty laundry, clotheslines, dryers, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Never Give Up – Even After 950 Times!

November 6, 2009 by

There are some people in life who I’ve met and wish I hadn’t, and some people who I’ve never met, but wish that I could. I’ve never met the lady pictured, but I admire her. Why? Because she truly understands the saying Never Give Up. This south Korean lady, age 68, knows persistence, failure, perseverance, and now a sense of accomplishment.


She took her written exam for her driver’s license 950 times. That’s right, 950 times. I’m a strong woman and quite confident, but I truly don’t think that I would have that kind of determination. This lady has taken her written test almost daily since 2005. She’s determined to get her driver’s license so she can become self-sufficient. She owns a vegetable selling-business.

For everyone who is struggling in any area of their life and is finding themselves on the Whoa Me Trip and thinking about giving up, please allow this lady to be an example for you. Never give up.

Filed Under: driver's license, driving examinations, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Sister Love

October 24, 2009 by

I adore my sister. As I’ve gotten older, I have truly learned to appreciate her. Please allow me to introduce her, Teresa, shown on the right. This picture is of us when I was visiting her in Savannah, GA last month. I wish the photographer had told me that my purse straps were twisted, lol.


When we were growing up, we were vastly different. She was a tomboy. She refused to play with dolls or be a guest at my tea parties. She preferred to jump on a pogo stick, play baseball and beat up the boys in the neighborhood. She hated house cleaning, cooking and doing laundry. As a result, I decided to start a business. I charged her to do her household choirs. It paid off, as a teen I was never broke. Enterprising became a way of life for me, in addition I started charging my brothers to iron their shirts. In the 60’s, ruffled shirts for men were in. They had no clue how to iron them, so they were happy to pay me.

We look back on those days and laugh. She’s visiting this week, and last night she reminded me that I was a tattle tail when we were growing up. When we first started school, we weren’t allowed to wear pants. My mother’s religion forbid it. When we reached Junior High, my sister managed to get someone to purchase jeans for her. She would carry them to school, and change her cloths when we got there. I told on her, yes I did. If she was going to wear pants, I was going to wear them too. She was furious. Eventually my mother changed her outlook and we were allowed to wear pants.

We have become “two peas in a pod” as my mother says. Exchanging recipes, shopping, chatting on Facebook, and discussing our own family problems. It has become a way of life for us. I’m so grateful to have her as a sister, we love each other unconditionally and that is priceless.

When I’m down or stressed, I read a plague that she gave me years ago. It says, “Sister- I see God’s beauty in you. I thank God for you always”. It always makes me feel better. Isn’t that beautiful? I know that I don’t tell her often enough, but I thank God for her too.

Filed Under: childhood, Georgia, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Do You Wear White After Labor Day?

October 17, 2009 by

Do you wear white after Labor Day? I do, but 90% of our readers stated that they did not wear white after Labor Day. Fashion etiquette used to say that white after Labor Day was taboo. Fashion designers say that summer whites should be packed away, but winter white is acceptable.

I’m not into fashion as I once was, but I do pack my summer white capri, shorts and dresses away and bring out the winter white. Summer white fabric is too thin to wear in the winter here. I live in West Virginia, it gets cold. I do love creams, beiges, off-white in the winter, it looks so fresh.  According to glamour, we shouldn’t put away our white denim!  Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor at Glamour says, “Nothing is more chic than white jeans in the wintertime with a chunky cozy sweater or a blazer and leather boots.” I love blazers and leather boots. I have a closet full of them.  I don’t own a pair of white demin jeans, but I’ll be purchasing a pair this year.  Put on you winter white ladies. It’s in.

Filed Under: fashion, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,