SS just might be stirring the pot...

Many times I watch the news and wonder "What is wrong with today's kids? Why don't they accept responsibility for anything? Where's the empathy? How do they justify their actions?"

Here's a great example. I am sure most of you have heard this story...

FINDLAY, Ohio (Associated Press) -- An Ohio teenager says he expects to be suspended from a Christian school for attending a public school prom with his girlfriend.
Officials at Heritage Christian School in Findlay had warned 17-year-old Tyler Frost that he would be suspended and prohibited from attending graduation if he went to the Saturday dance. The fundamentalist Baptist school in northwest Ohio forbids dancing, rock music and hand holding.
Frost says he went to the dance because he wanted to experience the prom and didn't think it was wrong.
School officials say he could complete his final exams separately to receive a diploma.
Frost's stepfather says the rules shouldn't apply outside of school and he may take legal action if Frost is suspended.

I have a very strong opinion about this situation...and I am sure many of you do not share it.

Here's my take: We have a parent who pays tuition to a school that holds their students to a different standard than the public schools. He knows their beliefs. I am assuming he supports them since his kid is a student there. More than likely his son has signed a Code of Conduct (standard fare in private christian schools) that states he (the son) understands their beliefs, supports them, will uphold them on and off campus in his daily life.

He decides he has been neglected his right to experience life outside his family's choice for him. The school stands their ground. He chooses to go against the rules. And then acts like he's the victim because they are going to follow through with their part of the agreement. Does Daddy-O use this opportunity as a very valuable life lesson? No. He chooses to teach his son the rules don't apply to us. We should be able to do what we want, because we want to. He teaches his boy that he doesn't have to take responsibility for his choices or actions. And he feels very justified in his actions because their strict standards and expectations are too much. Doesn't matter that he knew that going in...

He's passing on a lack of respect for authority.

He's passing on a lack of responsibility for ones' actions and choices.

He's passing on the self-indulgence that is rampant in America.

He's encouraging the distasteful habit of placing blame on others to justify oneself.

That's how I see it.

How about you?

And btw, I totally do NOT agree with the schools beliefs of no dancing, rock music and hand holding. But, that was not the point...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: When I read this the first time, it immediately raised my shackles. How dare this school tell this boy what he can and can not do! Then I thought about it and realized how very wrong I was. It embarrasses and humiliates me that my first reaction was the all too common worldly one... Will you still love me in the morning?

Dear Grammie...

WE LOVE YOU!

Crumb Snatchers have threatened to Revolt

because I, apparently, haven't "taken the pig flu thing serious enough" and we are still...

I was very tempted to say we'd be out of school for that reason when...

but then again thought better of it. Pigs fly is a little to close to pig flew or flu...

They heard on the news that Dallas schools are closed all week. They wanted to know, "Why? Why?? Why...couldn't they have a cool mom?" Instead of one that makes the...

I explained that this...and this...

was not going to enter our school grounds to infect them in any way. So put on your big boy underwear and big girl panties and DEAL WITH THE OLD MEAN SCHOOL MARM.

That's when Girl Child threatened to do this......or REVOLT.

First, I asked her to spell it.
She did.

Then I asked her if she could tell me the correct meaning.
She did.

Then I offered to give her a free ride to either the Health Department or DHS. Her pick.
She didn't...like my attitude. She told me.

This is what I looked like when I cracked myself up...

Even though we now have confirmed cases of Swine Flu here in Okie-Homa. I cannot convince myself it's serious. Is it the name? Is it the thought? Is it all hype?

Are all the swine feeling this way about now...

What are your deep thoughts on the matter? Do you have the epidemic pig flu of 09 in your neck of the woods? Did you have your flu shot? Do you prefer tangy & sweet BBQ sauce or spicy and bold?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Hey big guy. I have bupkus tonight. That's a rarity. I always have some thing to say to you. So soak up the silence my friend. Soak it on up.

...and then she hung up on me.

I ordered a little some thing for Big Shooter on April 6th.

It left Sacramento on April 9th to begin it's little journey to him.

It arrived in Minneapolis, Minnesota 4 days later.

It went straight past us on it's way to Dallas on April 17th.

After a brief stay in the Big D it traveled to Northeast OK. (I know this as a fact, cause I was following it the whole time on the cool little tracker thingy.)

After another brief stay (in Northeast OK...where we live), it left on it's way to West Virgina.

It arrived in West Virgina... 4 days later... April 26th.

I called FedEx.

The first person was kind and patient. But, clueless.

The second thoughtfully told me my package had arrived safely in West Virgina.

Duh. The problem is I don't live there...I politely explained.

She was unconcerned. And unapologetic.

I was...not. Unconcerned or too thoughtful.

Now I know it is not their fault. I know accidents happen. I know they are trying their best.

But, I really had had all I could take since my package had left Sacramento 15 days prior. Had traveled from the west coast to the north, past us even further south, and then left us...on it's way to the east coast...

So I told her so.

She didn't appreciate my attitude. She told me so.

I told her I didn't appreciate her nonchalant one either.

She didn't appreciate my tone of voice either. She told me so.

I asked her if she was familiar with the geography of the U.S.?

...that's when she hung up on me.

I have this fantastic new software called Bamboo (from a certain group of fabulous friends) where I can draw on pictures. Which I did to show the route of BS's package. It is fun and funny. But, like yesterday's ignorance problem, I cannot get Blogger to upload the saved pic. So you'll just have to imagine lines drawn from the west coast, to the north, to the south, to the east, back to the south and finally to me in OK on this map...

He got his little surprise on May 1.

I tried to call her.

Just to let her know it arrived safely.


Love Note to my Big Shooter: Arrrrgh! Now I know how you feel all the live long day! Dealing with rude, unhelpful people. No wonder you get headaches! Come home to Mamacita...I'll make you forget about the idiots of the world. Wink, wink. ...right after you slay the Blue Dragon so I can share the video...since I am a member of the idiots of the world!

I embrace my illiteracy

When it comes to computers I have two choices:

• Freak out
• or...embrace my ignorance.

Usually, unless it's JBF, I embrace the illiteracy and wait for The Savior of My Computer World (a.k.a. Big Shooter, Sledge, Love of my Life, etc.) to rescue me.

Like today.

Today, I would really, really like to post the video of Girl Child and myself being propelled into space. However, my ignorance about getting this DVR thing (or CDr thing, movie thing, what ever thing...see what I mean) copied to my computer so I can upload it to youtube is not happenin' without serious intervention.

Do y'all have things that make your smooth running lives come to a screeching halt like the check writer in the credit card commercial? Something that causes you to count to 10? Or makes you have to remind yourself to breathe?

Mine would be certain computer tasks. And knitting.

And cooking.

And cleaning.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: O, brave and gallant knight, I await thee to slay thy Blue Dragon. Thou will show pleasure and thankfulness in any way thee wishes...

Big Shooter, What were you thinking?!

Chickening out and sending your Beloved sling shooting into the air with your youngest Crumb Snatcher?

Tsk. Tsk.

1...

2...

Whee...

Yup.

That's Girl Child and myself...

Her: brave, bold and barely tall enough!

Me: not brave and bold...and barely tall enough.

Meet the cross between Sledge and Straight Shooter.

She's one cool chick.

Tomorrow...the video.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: cluck, cluck, cluuuuck. bawk, bawk, bawwwwck!! (not sure which one to type to illustrate a chicken sound ;o) Either way, I had my hands tucked under my pits flapping my wings while I made them!

Dear Big Shooter, Happy Famiversary!

One year ago today we didn't know how long we'd have you.

Our family's future was on quicksand. And our minds were numb with fear.This year has been filled with extreme ups and downs, but not one day has passed that the three of us have not mentioned how grateful we are to still be a family that is whole and complete.

You are what makes us tick.

You are what makes us laugh.

You are what keeps us together.

You are this family.

Today is our family's Thanksgiving and we have been blessed beyond measure.

We want you to realize how precious and dear to our hearts the time you spend with us is.We love you.

Happy Famiversary Sledge!!

(thought I'd just throw in this picture of our little memorial to remind us of the passing of your kidney and the pesky cancer...the whole reason for Famiversary.)