Occupy Wall Street- I'm so confused.

My all time FAVORITE quote in the whole wide world is:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Growing up, my friends and I were all about critical thinking and questioning. We never took anything on face value and always did our own research. Questioning authority, knowing our rights, and demanding them was what we were all about. 

Now that I have annotated that, let me say this: I do not understand Occupy Wall Street.

Please, let me explain.

I get that corporate America and a good majority of our government is corrupt. I get that there are good people starving in the street while horrible people dine on champagne & caviar in sky rise apartments. I get the idea behind Occupy Wall Street. What I don't get is what they want to accomplish?

Do they want everyone to make the same amount? Are they protesting corruption or just capitalism? And what do they want the government/ corporations to do about it? What are they asking for? I don't get it. They are protesting for months in unsanitary camps in parks, which I think the dedication is awesome, but I don't understand what they want to see done in order to willingly leave the camps?

There has to be a proposed solution to the problem.
 I feel like I am back in debate. 

At first we have to decide what values are the most important to uphold and how to decide on those values. After that decision is made we need a policy to uphold them. If you can't come up with a solution or a proposed solution to solve the problem and obtain those values, your just talking in the wind. 

It's like me and all the other personal trainers getting together and living in parks for months to protest the obesity and health crises in America- without proposing a solution we aren't doing anything but making noise.

So I get what the VALUE's are for the protesters of Occupy Wall Street- but what are your proposed solutions? All I see right now, is a lot of useless and white noise. We've got the commitment part, but we are missing the thoughtful part of Margaret Mead's quote. What will it take to get you out of the parks and back into your homes? 

Admitted

www.isu.edu

AJ was never the most astute student in high school, not because of lack of intelligence but mainly out of desire and support. 

Because of this, he was really nervous about applying to Idaho State University. Those of you familiar with the University know that the admissions aren't super strict but I know people who were turned away, so that means they do screen the applicants. 

Two weeks ago AJ sent in the required information with the $40 application fee and waited. 

He got the news yesterday: Admitted to Idaho State Universities undergraduate program in the College of Health & Sciences for nursing. 

I am so excited. He is thrilled. The past that he comes from and the life that he's had, to get that "admission" is a huge deal and I couldn't be more proud. Beaming, he called family members last night and told them the news. All night he kept saying, "I'm going to be a college student babe! Just a regular college guy." He was grinning from ear to ear. 

He doesn't start until the Fall of 2012 and we still have about 5 months left before we are even out of the military, but the pieces of the puzzle are getting in place. AJ even re-registered his car recently- he has gone from Texas to Idaho tags.

I'm glad that we are starting the process so early and slowly getting things done little by little. It's a crazy transition and I think time for things to sink in is necessary. But it's happening. We are getting out. We are moving to Idaho. AJ is going to college. My business is getting started. It's incredible.

Facebook.... Again... Dun.. Dun.. Dun..

So, we have a Facebook account again...

This is for a few reasons:

1) AJ wants to play the Facebook games.

2) We are about ready to move to Idaho and want to keep better contact with our Texas family.

3) So much information is available to you- IF you have a Facebook account...

4) AJ really wants to play the Facebook games.

5) When my business really gets rolling, I will be creating a Facebook account for it as well. This gives us a starting place.

We have decided to get a combined Facebook account for a few reasons:

1) Stops a lot of family drama. (Don't ask... )

2) I don't really care to have one, but can use it if I need it to look up stuff.

3) Prevents a lot of gossip and military drama. (Don't ask.. )

So... Yes.. We are back on Facebook as AJ N ScottieAnn Kelly . You probably won't see many updates or messages on there.. Just HotShot updates from AJ. :) 

Thanksgiving Picture-Palooza!

AJ & I went to Dallas for Thanksgiving. For the first time in years, his Nanny (mom's mom) hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at her home.We had an amazing time. Both the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys played and won!! We had a great time gathering around the tv for football, family, and food. As tradition, we all went around the room and said what we were thankful for before the meal began. The only thing missing is AJ's little brother Jonathan, who had to work.  =( 

Here are our pictures from the weekend. As always, I feel as if I should have taken more. 

Happy Holidays!

Nanny is the perfect hostess and was always in the kitchen working!

Ben & AJ finalizing their fantasy football line-ups before the games begin.

Bring it on Lions!! I'm ready!

Andy (AJ's little bro) and AJ. They were sneaking food in the kitchen.

I was giggling and look like I'm possessed!!

The three of us. This is post-meal and both AJ & Andy have a turkey day belly pooch!

Although she hates pictures, I think Nanny looks wonderful! She just turned 69!

The boys with their Nanny. I love this picture.

AJ's momma Becca and her husband Ben. They are adorable together.

The girls!

We stayed with AJ's Aunt Sabrina this time in Texas and she is a complete hoot! We love this woman so much and thank her, Uncle Scott, and Curtis for sharing their home with us. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of Uncle Scott or Curtis.. Figures...

The only pic I could get Aunt Sabrina to pose for. She is such a wonderful woman.

AJ & I hanging out on Friday at Aunt Sabrina's. We played poker that night and she beat out AJ!

We had a great time and are glad we had the opportunity to go down there. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to.

Hope you enjoyed our little picture update and had a good holiday yourselves!

PS: Look!! I'm bimbo blonde again! I feel sooooooooo much better!!!

My List.

Thankful for:

* My faith.

* My husband.

* Family.

* That I am employed and have the opportunity for education.

* I have a cozy one bedroom apartment.

* My animals.

*  My income exceeds my bills.

* I am healthy.

* I am happy.

As a matter of fact, I don't have much to NOT be thankful for. I have everything I need and really want in life. I have everything to be thankful for. 

It's a good day.

Penn State Scandal & Anti-Gay Bias

I have already written my feelings on the Penn State Scandal, but a friend brought this article to my attention today, and it INFURIATES me. 

Penn State abuse scandal distorted by anti-gay bias

The article is about how some individuals are blaming homosexuality on what Jerry Sandusky did to the young boys. 

"Now that being accused of homophobia is considered an offense, while practicing homosexuality is considered a virtue, should it really surprise anyone that such behavior would go unreported or unchallenged for so long?"

What the article is implying, is that because society is finally starting to become accepting of homosexuality, Jerry Sandusky was not questioned for molesting the young boys because it is considered acceptable behavior in culture today. That's right, Sandusky was allowed to continue this behavior with boys as young as 10, because homosexuality is not condemned anymore.

This argument is disgusting on so many levels I can hardly stand it. 
But, I am going to put my emotions to the side for a moment and argue my point that this is nothing but hate speech given a voice, in a factual way and not a emotional, rhetorical way. (Back to my highschool years I guess..)


I have the following four major points (although there are MANY others).. 

1) The majority of molestation on young boys is committed by heterosexual males.

"Most men who molest little boys are not gay.  Only 21 percent of the child molesters we studied who assault little boys were exclusively homosexual.  Nearly 80 percent of the men who molested little boys were heterosexual or bisexual, and most of these men were married and had children of their own"

-Dr. Gene Abel, Professor of Psychiatry at Emory University and former president of the National Society for Behavioral Medicine

2) Most molestation that carried out by homosexuals is on post-pubescent males, while heterosexual molestation was carried out on mainly pre-pubescent males. 

"..heterosexually‑oriented men characteristically chose victims who were clearly  pre‑pubescent, whereas the homosexually‑oriented offenders chose pubescent boys.."

- W. L. Marshall, “Sexual Offenders Against Male Children: Sexual Preferences”

3) Heterosexual pedophiles often prefer boys over girls.

"Freund has found that a high proportion of pedophiles prefer boys to girls, and that these pedophiles generally have little or no interest in adult males.  Nowhere does Freund state that homosexuals are more inclined to molest children."

-Dr. Kurt Freund was a psychiatrist at the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry in Toronto, Canada.  A sex researcher for well over 30 years.

4) Boys are also often chosen because they are the least likely to go for help.

"Boys are less likely than girls to report sexual abuse 

because of fear, the social stigma against homosexual behavior, the desire to appear self-reliant 

(boys grow up believing that they should not allow themselves to be harmed or talk about painful 

experiences), and the concern for loss of independence."

- Prevent Child Abuse American

Here is the bottom line, homosexuality has nothing to do with pedophilia. In fact, according to over 30 years of research, if Sandusky were homosexual, he would have been LESS likely to have molested these young boys. 

People will use anything to spread hate. This is just another one of those attempts. If you have heard these arguments, please look into it. Read the information for yourself, guard yourself with facts so you can address the real issue here: A man took advantage of children, and a school aided in the covering up. That's what happened and it's terrible.

Sources:

Homosexuality & Child Sex Abuse: Science, Religion, & the Slippery Slope

Fact Sheet: Sexual Abuse of Young Boys - Prevent Child Abuse America

Kids - 2, AJ - 0

My poor softy husband. Friday night we had our second attempt at watching SD's little girls. This time AJ was a little more prepared regarding the bedtime issue we had the last time. He clarified with SD whether or not the girls would stay the entire night before they even came over (they were) and bought groceries to make them breakfast the next morning. (He wanted to make them eggs, bacon, and toast and I insisted he buy turkey bacon and cook the eggs healthily.) 

Love it & it was a hit w/ the girls!

A little more prepared regarding the situation, the 7 and 9 year old girls arrived at 7:30 for the night. We put in Turner & Hooch (the girls picked, they had never seen it and its one of my favorites!) and pulled out the game of Sorry. After a short half hour, it was apparent that for the second time in a row, AJ had been taken over by these young ladies. 

The younger one has AJ completely wrapped. Any time I would say anything to correct behavior, he would say something as well, but to sooth the fact that she had done something wrong. For example, "Remember I said that you can't jump and run around because someone lives under us and its late. You need to stop." And AJ would come back with, "It's ok. It's just not play time ok?We'll have play time later. You are ok. Don't worry." The little girl, sensing weakness I believe, would get AJ to do whatever she wanted for the rest of the evening and morning. 

She also developed quite the crush on AJ and was constantly holding his arm or following him everywhere. Not to mention glaring at me as if I was the evil queen on Alice & Wonderland. Poor AJ was terrified and had no idea how to handle it. I found it hilarious and just giggled at him the whole time. I told him later, "You did that to yourself, ya know. You act like her best friend rather than an adult. You are always telling her she is great, even when she is misbehaving." Yet even after this, the simple two letter word, "No" never came out of the poor man's mouth.

This is small compared to what she had.

I think the epitome of the experience was when the next morning AJ was cooking breakfast and apparently she asked him if she could eat the butter! AJ literally gave her a HUGE spoonful of butter and she was licking it like a lollipop as she refused to get out of the kitchen while he was cooking. When I saw what was going on I was absolutely mortified. I told her she was not allowed to eat butter and that she needed to get out of the kitchen while AJ was using the stove. The little lady just smiled knowingly at me, put down the butter, and left the kitchen. She knew exactly what she was doing. I then had to have a little discussion with my poor husband regarding allowing a 7 year old to eat butter (I wouldn't even let her eat regular bacon!)

The girls win Round 2!

Bedtime was a lot easier this time. For one, the girls weren't hopped up on tons of koolaide like last time, and before the night even started I had told them what time they would be going to bed. 

But in the end, we both decided that the girls once again won the evening and AJ has a long ways to go. Luckily, our SD and his new girlfriend seem to be doing well so it looks like we will have many more babysitting opportunities. 

Oy-vay!  Lol  =)

Sports & Technology

Alright, so here is my second week of NFL Sunday sports post. Sports & Technology. I in particular love how the two have combined. It has created a whole new breed of sports fans. Player-fan interaction, the ability of fans to voice their feelings and opinions, fantasy football, and the previously less-loved sports getting some more attention are all positives for sports from technology. Here are some more changes and info regarding the two.

Enjoy!

Kwarter Social Sports Application

Round Two!

AJ & I are watching our favorite single dad's girls again tonight. If you didn't read what happened last time, you can here. It was pretty amusing.

Mortal Kombat- Anyone else remember this game?

AJ is excited about getting his second stab at babysitting. He feels more prepared this time. He wants another opportunity to tell the girls to go to bed/sleep. The last experience traumatized him slightly. Now he is so worried he won't be a good father and will raise little terrors, and...and...and... So.. he is pretty excited about another babysitting opportunity.

You see, my husband didn't have the easiest childhood. It was honestly pretty rough. He can't wait to have children but is so scared to screw up. I constantly tell him that the fear is normal, and it's a good thing. Being scared means that you care, that it matters to you, and that you will do your best.

I have no doubt that he is going to be amazing. None. I definitely share his same concern! I worry a lot too. 

To parents out there: What fears did you have before you became a parent? And how are those fears now that you are? Are they better? Worse? Etc.?

To other wanna-be-someday-parents: What are your fears and concerns? Do you have any?

Anyone else decide not to have children? Why did you make this decision? Or are you on the fence still?

Me? I'm scared that I may be that too strict mom. The one that wants to make sure my children are well mannered and well behaved and I might miss out on that closeness and friendship I want so badly with my kids. That balancing act scares me quite a bit. AJ is the opposite. He is scared he will be too much the friend and not give enough guidance and leadership as a father. 

I'll let you know how tonight go's! AJ vs. the girls: Round 2! =)

PS: I am so excited to be guest blogging today on one of my favorite blogs: Geek In Heels. Stop over and check out a post of mine from when AJ was deployed. Also check her site out, I love it!

A Warm Christmas Song

I don't normally like to post you-tube videos on here but I was sent this the other day and just loved it. I thought it might put a smile on your face too. :) It's about 4 minutes long.. 

What was written to me about this video was:

"This video from the small Yupiq Eskimo Village of Quinhagak, Alaska  , was a school computer project intended for the other Yupiq villages in the area. 

 

To the surprise of the villagers,  over a half million people have viewed it!"  

Happy Holidays!! Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year!

Just wait until you have children...

I hate that phrase. I absolutely hate it. 

I understand that I probably have quite a few surprises in store for me when AJ & I finally do put a car seat in and have a crib in the apartment. I get it.

But...

It does not mean that I will not fold my clothes in a very neat and specific way - once I have children.

It does not mean that I will be angry at a coach for being stern with his players - once I have children.

It does not mean that I will let my house be disgustingly trashed- once I have children.

It does not mean that I will stop taking care of my body or mind- once I have children.

It does not mean that I will be in a forever bad mood- once I have children.

It does not mean that I will agree or disagree with whatever form or non-form of disciplinary action you instigate- once I have children.

It does not mean that I will constantly argue with my spouse- once I have children. 

It does not mean I will become less patient, less understanding, or less caring- once I have children.

It does not mean I will rely on fast food or take out every night- once I have children.

It does not mean that I understand less, you understand more, or anything else.

I understand I have a lot to learn when I become a parent. I truly do. What that does not mean, is that I am inevitably going to agree with what you do or how you do it. 

My mother raised 3 kids, has always had a full time job, and kept our house neat and tidy. She also is the one that taught me how to fold clothes in a specific and neat way because she insisted it be done this way. As a family, we went to McDonald's every other Friday (Payday Friday!) and the rest of the time my mother cooked dinner- every night. Both of my parents were strict with us as children and we were not allowed to throw tantrums or fits to get what we wanted.

Not that my parents were perfect, but that is how I was raised. Were you raised differently? Do you raise your children differently? Maybe this means just because people have children does not automatically mean they are going to do things or believe things the same way.

So please, do not use this as an argument or as a way to settle a discussion. If I do things differently or feel a certain way contrary to yourself, I will not automatically switch to your ways because I have children. I do not know where my priorities will change or how I will end up adapting, and neither do you.

The next time you see me folding clothes neatly, finding a very frustrated soccer coach amusing, or discuss how I don't like going out to eat much (among many, many, many other things), do not utter the phrase to me:

Just wait until you have children...

It is not an instant argument winner or mind changer. 

Just let me have my feelings and ways of doing things. If you don't agree, just chalk it up to us being different people and not because I don't currently have a mini-me. 

Thank-you.

Scammed!!

Oh-me-oh-my... 

We live in an apartment complex and have people come and knock on our door to sell stuff frequently. I hate it. AJ is such a huge softy that he can't say no. I on the other hand have no problem saying no. This has been a topic of conversation many times in our household. I have asked him to please not buy anything from a door salesman because a) whatever they have, we do not need and b) I don't want to get scammed by a creepy salesman.

Well last night we had a knock on our door. AJ answered it and went outside to talk with whoever it was. I assumed it was a friend of his. A few minutes later, he walked in followed by a young charismatic man. I wasn't quite sure what was going on. 

To make a long story short, AJ purchased a magazine subscription from this kid (for $60.00!!) . As soon as he was back out the door, I immediately googled the "business" he said he worked for:

Midwest Circulation LLC

In the first few things that come up on google:

Midwest Circulation LLC Magazines BEWARE - Topix

Magazine Scams And Rip Offs

Is it a scam?: Door to Door Magazine sales is a dangerous scam

When I clicked on the topics and read the conversations regarding the company it made me feel even worse...

"These idiots prey on the military. They cane to my town and scammed my husband and several of his friends out of several hundred dollars. We found Out it was a sam and went looking for them te next day. Even though we live in a city we had many guys on the case cannot several different areas. We ended up catching one of their associates (used a "sting operation") and got him arrested. These are low life criminals and they all gave us the same line of bullshit... How they were home less before and didn't have food or anything and the company saved them. They could win A trip to...(insert carribean location, they all used different ones). Said proceeds would be donated to a children's hospital. Also played up the military card..."

Although our guy didn't tell AJ he was homeless, he said that he was a college student saving money and looking to win a bonus or trip to Europe. He also said that we could donate the magazines to a children's hospital and that would get him more "points" for his trip/bonus.

If you go to the website... www.midwestcirculationllc.com - you get nothing. It's bogus.

I continued my research and read this:

"The field agents are encouraged to lie to the potential customer about if they get commission, they are told to say they are in a contest they are trying to win a educational vacation abroad, trying to win a scholarship, trying to win points, or selling magazines for charity." 

And also this:

"If you gave a check, cancel the check and then try to call to cancel the subscription. I know calling will be fruitless but at least make the attempt and keep a record of it. It would be best to close your checking account because the company and sales person now has your routing number and account number. It can be used to transfer money out of your account even if you cancel the check."

Last night AJ & I spent a long time on the phone. We called our bank to not only put a stop on the check, but to change our checking account number and bank information so that it could not be used. We then called the police and crime stoppers to report the individual. This morning I have also spent a lot of time on the phone because just yesterday I wrote a check to Idaho DMV for AJ's new Idaho vehicle registration that I had to make sure would still be allowed to clear. We are still working on changing our account information for our direct deposits and our online bills. Also we called and informed out apartment complex and they let us know (I had no idea!) that the complex actually has a huge no solicitation policy!! It's just been a huge mess.

A few things from this:

#1) AJ learned that I am always right. ;)

#2) We are putting a no solicitation sign on our door.

#3) As sad as it is, you have to be so careful. AJ would never do anything to harm anyone and so it's hard for him to think that anyone else would. 

#4) AJ learned again that I am always right. (Need to put that in twice.. lol =) )

Although it's a little embarrassing, I felt the need to blog about it today. It's important that everyone learn from our mistake. Fortunately for us, the only thing it cost us was some time and a 15$ check stop fee by our bank.. But it could have been so much worse, as there are reports of fraudulent door to door salesman using the "sale" as a chance to check out your home, learn info about you, and break into your home/apt later to rob you blind. (Which is why we informed not only the police but our complex. Luckily our apartment is in a central location and we have two huge dogs the kid last night didn't seem to be fond of.)

Here are some great pages for information regarding scams, what to look for, and how to handle the situations:

List of Scams

Federal Trade Commission: Magazine Scams

How to Identify Door to Door Scams

Scams/Fraud: Door to Door

Also, check out the Better Business Bureau website for any sales company trying to pry money out of you. I checked Midwest Circulation and they have an F. (Not surprisingly the address they gave for subscription cancellation doesn't even exist..)

Better Business Bureau

So yes. We were scammed last night. I really should have put a stop to it the second the kid walked in the door with AJ. It was a good learning experience for the both of us. It's definitely embarrassing for us both, which is AJ's biggest frustration. He feels completely stupid about the whole situation. He shouldn't because I have to say, the young man was good. If I didn't know about these scams and how they worked already, I probably would have just been annoyed that we paid that much for a children's magazine subscription and gone to bed. Charismatic, young, handsome, clean clothes and up-kept attire, nothing about him said scam.

So this is for all of you, to learn from our mistakes and experiences. 

What happened to giving thanks?

Thanksgiving is AJ's all time favorite holiday. He loves the food, the football, and the family that comes with it. Which is why it's so sad to him that this amazing holiday seems to get skipped over every year. Mainly because it isn't as marketable as the next holiday in line, Christmas. 

So I'm posting these comics in protest of skipping a very important holiday: the day where everyone gets together and remembers how much they have to be thankful for.

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I LOVE Christmas. I love the colors, the smells, the food. I love the movies and the weather and the family.  From the decorations to the candy, I love it all. My mom was always so happy and sang Christmas songs, made the house look beautiful & smell good, and watched sappy movies with us all month. And most of all, I love remembering the gift God gave us of his Son (whether or not it's the actual date of his birth..)  So although Christmas may be my favorite holiday, please everyone, don't forget the importance of stopping, taking a look around, and just giving thanks. 

Sports & Morality

I'm not quite sure why the lines are blurry when combining these two. I don't know why when one is associated with the other, it's the exception to the rule. 

I love sports. I love all sports. It's not because I get an ego boost from being the girl who can pick the best fantasy sleepers or because I loved the cool jocks growing up. It's because I love the atmosphere. I love the camaraderie that only a sports game can bring. I love that the under dogs can rise above and come out ahead. I love the athleticism involved. I love having something to route for. I love that sports can quite literally bring worlds together in a peaceful manner. And I truly believe that sports, no matter which, are more mental than most people give them credit for, and damnet if I don't love a good mental challenger as much or more than a physical one.

What I don't love, is the dark side of sports. And I don't understand it. I don't understand why at The "U", a "booster" was caught trying to pay a girl to have an abortion without telling the football player father. I don't understand the concept of paying players from Universities to play, along with the full ride scholarships that so many other students didn't get. I am baffled at the thought that Michael Vick can torture and kill animals, be convicted, get out, and still be not only hired but looked to as a role model "because he is a tremendous athlete." I don't understand these things. I hope I never will. They aren't right. They don't make sense. It's not ok. 

The recent happenings at Penn State sicken me. The whole thing. Why would a graduate student see a coach acting inappropriately with a child and not report it to the police? In what world does a student only report something so horrible to their direct supervisor and leave it? Why does that supervisor in turn only report it to the president? Why is it, in that entire chain of events, that not one single person thought the appropriate person to call was the authorities and how did each of those people sleep at night?

Can someone also explain why the students of Penn State rallied together to defend someone who potentially enabled the sexual abuse of young children for years? Because he's your beloved football coach? Because he won a lot of games? Where is your justification? It's disgusting. 

I have been thinking about blogging regarding this for a while now. I just honestly don't know what to say. Just  a few days ago I blogged about the dog Sparky that I couldn't help but foster (whom now has a permanent and wonderful home, just not with us). In that blog I wrote that I thought the world would be a better place if everyone just cared a little bit more. Less than a week later, students are gathering by the thousands to protest the firing of a man that allowed child abuse to continue, because he didn't want to report claims he wasn't sure of. It hurts my heart. I don't get it. 

I love sports. I do. But this part, the part where a game- because no matter how you look at a sport, the money, the fans, the people, in the end it really is just a game- is above the basic fundamental of humanity and morality, protecting our children, is incomprehensible. 

Penn State- You should be ashamed of yourself. The students who protested should be ashamed. The many, many people who did not report the behavior, no matter how "unsure" you were of what you heard or saw. And the program, for covering it up for so long. This wasn't about a game anymore, this was about people's lives. Children's lives. You are a disgrace not just to sports, but to the essence of what it is to be a human being in our society. Don't even try to get me to understand where you were coming from because I promise, I never will.

Futbol v. Football

In true Kelly Stadium fashion, and a tradition I am planning on beginning from here on out- every NFL Sunday I am going to post a sports related blog. Today, it's actually an infographic on Futbol (or as we know it here in the States, soccer) vs Football. 

Some things I would like to point out are the salaries for players v.s.the amount the teams earn. American Football is actually a very lucrative (see also economy enhancing) business compared with Futbol, yet the salaries don't really reflect that distinction. This was especially interesting to me because a lot of individuals I know that hate football, like soccer, and comment on how much money football players make and how silly it is. (This is a discussion for another post.)

Lastly, look at how teams are decided in futbol vs football. It seems to me that soccer clubs are built based on who has the most money has the best team, whereas football has to grow their team in a system built for evening the odds. Especially when you consider the NFL football team salary caps.

Since soccer and football are both passions of mine, I found this infographic interesting. Maybe we can all learn a little something more, even if you aren't exactly the sports type.

Via Confused.com

The Modern Relationship

Relationships have changed a lot just in the past ten years. It all started with chat rooms (am I the only one that remembers the beginning of chat rooms?), then texting, and now the supreme changer of facebook and iphones. 

I found these comics today and I think they are brilliant! Hope they put a smile on your face, and don't forget to thank a Veteran tomorrow! 

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This one really isn't the same topic, but I couldn't resist...

Drinking and the Holidays

For those of you who are regulars, you probably know that AJ & I aren't drinkers. It's not a religious or even a moral thing, it's because AJ had a lot of problems because of alcohol. One of which nearly cost him his life. He woke up in intensive care after being beaten almost to death after another night of drinking. He was told that if he would have taken just two more blows to the head, he would never have woken up. It was still 2 years after that incident that he finally decided enough was enough, and he quit cold turkey. He hasn't drank in over a year and a half. I don't drink to support him. I've never needed alcohol to have a good time and never really drank much anyway, so quitting wasn't a big deal for me. I have to say, our lives changed completely.

* Source

At first it was pretty hard. We used to hang out with friends at clubs or bars, or go over to friend's houses for parties and such regularly. To avoid temptation, we didn't want to be in environments where drinking was the main form of socialization. This completely changed the people that hung out with us, or would even invite us over. It seemed that, unless there was alcohol, people didn't know how or want to know how, to hang out. Also, a lot of these same people would constantly try and talk AJ into drinking. Give him reasons and call him names. Question his man hood or treat him like a snob. We eventually weeded out our real friends from friends that were only bonded by the bottle and AJ relearned how to do things like fishing, playing X-Box, watch football, or just hang out with friends without alcohol being involved. (When an alcoholic quits drinking, it's the same as a smoker getting used to their morning coffee without a cigarette. All of these things trigger a desire to drink or a need to drink. You have to learn to do these things and not need alcohol).

The most frustrating part for me was that everyone assumed that I had forced AJ to quit drinking. That I was the reason that he had stopped. Because I wouldn't allow him to. This couldn't be farther from the truth. I never, not once, told AJ to quit drinking. AJ quit drinking because he didn't want the life that it gave him, he didn't want to live that way. And yes, he says that my coming into his life was a big part of that, but only because he wanted a happy family and didn't want his kids to be raised with him drinking. It bothered the crap out of me because I am sooooo ridiculously PROUD of him, and I feel like saying he is only doing it because of me takes away how phenomenal it is that he quit. He's doing it, not me. 

The reason that I bring this up, is that it's holiday season and as such, holiday party time. These parties are almost always accompanied by lots of drinking and alcohol. For example, AJ & I love Halloween and even dressed up this year, but we didn't go anywhere because the only "adult" Halloween parties around were big booze fests. Now please understand that AJ & I have nothing whatsoever against drinking. We think it's great that people can get together and socialize and have a few drinks. No problem. We just can't. Think of it as a major food allergy. Just one drink can have horrible consequences. AJ just happens to be addicted to the particular food group he is drastically allergic to, so we stay away from it. 

via Glamour.com

In my current issue of Glamour there is a great article called, "20 Things You Notice When Your Not Drinking." The article isn't available online, but AJ & I read it together and found it pretty funny and accurate based on our experiences. 

This prompted me to ask your opinion. Have you ever been the one not blitzed at the party? If so, do you notice anything different? What is your take on drinking and the holidays? Or just drinking at all? What if you had friends that didn't drink, would you hesitate to hang out with them as much? 

Feel free to be totally honest, I promise no feelings will be hurt or judgments made. I'm curious of others feelings on the topic.

Now that AJ & I have been away from it for so long, we don't really see the draw to it anymore. Course maybe we are just old fuddy duddys now, or maybe its because our experiences ended negatively too many times. 

Either way, I hope you have fun plans for this holiday season, whether you decide to celebrate with a holiday cocktail or sparkling cider! Tis the Season!

Kids - 1, AJ - 0

AJ with our friends baby.

I found out something rather interesting about my husband on Saturday night. Something I think he was slyly and purposefully keeping from me. He has not ever watched or babysat kids on his own before (not including his little brothers when they were growing up). This means, that as an adult, AJ has never, not once, told a child no when they wanted something before. 

Saturday night, a single soldier friend of ours had his first date in a long time. He happens to live in the same apartment complex as AJ & I, so we happily agreed to watch his two girls ages 7 and 9. He dropped them off at  7 pm and said that he was taking her to see Paranormal Activity 3. I thought to myself, "So he'll be by to pick them up around 11ish.."

Ah yes, but my dear clueless husband went out for a smoke with him before he left and told this single dad (SD) of two, "Don't worry if it's really late and they fall asleep, I'll send you a text and they can just stay here the night." This little tid-bit of information was something he failed to mention to me after he came back inside. If he had, I may have mentioned that we don't have milk or cereal, I may have mentioned that the girls were never told their dad wasn't coming back and so were unprepared to fall asleep at a strangers house (they have only been over once or twice for a few minutes with their dad), or I may have cautioned him about homesickness that kids that age can get. I also may have let him know that if we offered his kids to stay the night, that SD would be sure to let them, whether they were asleep at the end of his date or not. I may have been able to tell him all of these things, but I couldn't because I simply had no idea. 

By 8 o'clock we had put in a kids movie (I have plenty) and set up to play a game of Jenga.. This is when I first had an incling the AJ had no idea what he was doing. AJ went into the kitchen and came out with two full-to-the-brim glasses of ice cold Koolaide for the girls to drink. Pure liquid sugar. Needless to say, 1 game of Jenga, one game of Life, 2 movies and 3 hours later there was no dad in sight and no sign of these girls even batting an eye to go to bed.

At this point, I was very tired and ready for bed myself. This was also when AJ remembered to tell me that he had told SD that the girls could stay the night if they were asleep when his date was over. I was a little upset at not being asked or told this information. AJ explained he expected SD at any moment since he had never texted to say the girls were sleeping. I rolled my eyes, stood up, and told him he could finish the movie with the girls, I was going to bed.

I woke up at a little after 1 am and rolled over, no AJ. So I got up and went to the living room. There was AJ, looking desperately tired as he began yet ANOTHER movie. There on the loveseat, was a bouncing, talking 7 year old girl, happy as a clam. I walked over and said, "No ma'am. It's time to go to bed. It's past 1 o'clock and we aren't watching any more movies. Lay down and curl up, it's time for sleep." I turned off the tv and movie and looked at AJ, who looked at the very sad looking 7 year old. She looked right back and started crying. AJ shot me a glare like I was the meanest woman in the whole world when... "I want my daddy!" 

AJ immediately jumped up, got his cell phone, and called our SD (who was home by the way, his date had to work at 6:30 the next morning). The 7 year old cried tearfully to her dad about how she wanted to go home. I went back to bed. Furious at our SD and at my husband. 

My nephew Jed & I. 

Later, when AJ came to bed he told me he thought I was being mean to the little girl. I sat up and said, "AJ, when you are watching kids, your job is not to be their best friend or to entertain them all night. It is to be the adult and take care of them, and make the decisions they can't make themselves. What 7 year old wouldn't stay up all night watching movies, chatting happily with a willing adult? You have to say no. Of course she was going to cry and get upset, she wasn't getting her way anymore and she was exhausted!" 

AJ thought about that for a moment and said, "I didn't even think about that. I was just thinking we were going to have fun and play some games, that they would fall asleep to the first movie, and then I could wake up early and make them breakfast and watch cartoons." He then admitted to me that he had never actually had to be the adult before. He had never had to say no or tell them what to do or not to do something. He had never had to correct bad behavior and deal with crying or yelling from an unappreciative child. 

We talked for a while longer about having to be an adult to kids and them not knowing what is best. He hadn't even really thought about this type of thing before. It was a good learning experience for him, but I think he needs many more. Good thing when we get back to Idaho, I have niece and nephew who are primed and ready to give AJ some of the training he needs. This last Saturday was definitely a wake-up call for us both! 

When was your wake up call with kids? Have you had one yet? Do you have a significant other that needs or needed a wake up call? I have been watching kids for so long that I can't remember when I first experienced mine. I do remember my most challenging cases, but I don't remember ever being surprised or phased by them. Kids throwing fits because they don't want what is best never bothered me, as far as I remember anyway. My poor husband though.. Oh dear... Is he really in for it...