Each Day is a Gift, America... Use it Wisely!

I was walking through my little piece of forest today, listening to music, thinking about all the crazy choices our country seems to be making these days. I was remembering how the three ism's... socialism, communism and Marxism, were bad words in my young vocabulary. People instinctively scowled when discussing them. Growing up, we knew these words were the predecessors of evil, the enemy that we all had in common. No one talked about any of those things with praise and appreciation. Even at the liberal college I attended in Colorado, as we studied Political Science, we studied the ideologies and theories of all the great political thinkers and understood that those three words always lead to failure, collapse and breakdown for the wretched societies that attempted them. It is incompressible that these have become everyday common words that even intellectual people seem to speak of with reverence and potentiality.

The children of today are learning that socialism, or a society in which the wealth is owned by the government (who in turn plans and controls the economy) is righteous, moral and admirable. They are being taught that this is what we should strive for. And why? Because the progressives and liberals want us to believe, just as Karl Marx did, that all of the sadness, hunger, and wickedness of the world will go away under a socialist government. They throw the "victim" card in our face, treating us as if we don't care or understand those who "can't speak for themselves". And what stuns me the most is that people actually believe it.

I thought my generation was raised with the beliefs that you have to work hard to succeed, that you can't expect handouts, and that government control of your life was an evil to fight against. I never thought that in my life time I would hear "educated" people on the news and on the radio claiming that Marx really had some good ideas. My mouth continues to drop when I realize people I know and respect listen to this and actually question the fundamental beliefs we were raised on regarding freedom, liberty and independence.

But then I drive through the newest neighborhoods and see that materialism and expectations have taken over this country and has led us to this oxymoron. How can people living in these $300,000 homes with SUV's and sportscars parked in the driveways sit in their interior designed homes and tell the rest of us that we need to "share the wealth"? Do they not see the hypocrisy in it all? I don't fault anyone that has earned those things... that is the beauty of capitalism and the American Dream. But when did the American Dream turn into buying everything you can get your hands on with borrowed money and then flipping around to insult the rest of us by pushing socialism and entitlements for those who can't have all of those things.
Not everything is a RIGHT!! It is all a CHOICE!!!

While I was walking, the song "If Today Was Your Last Day" popped on. Each day's a gift and not a given right. That sums it all up right there... everyone does not have a RIGHT to everything!! You must earn it. When did our society become one of such high expectations -- one that feels like it's entitled to everything and immediately starts searching for the ones who will give it to them. What's worth the price is always worth the fight. If something is really that important to you, if that beautiful house on the hill is important to you, if those comfy running shoes are important to you... EARN IT!! Work hard, put up the fight and strive for it!! Don't take the free ride in your own life. We all hit on hard times and need help once and awhile, but that doesn't give anyone the right to EXPECT the free ride.

The indoctrination of socialism teaches people that we are all the same, can expect the same, and deserve the same. What "they" won't tell you about socialism and I'm in awe that no one seems to recall, is that all that "sameness" is below what we would consider poverty level. Under socialsim, you can expect to say goodbye to that nice house on the hill, and why should you have nice comfy running shoes if everyone else doesn't. Does anyone remember the books we were assigned to read in high school... "1984", "Animal Farm", "Anthem", "Fahrenheit 451"? That's socialism baby.

It's never too late to shoot for the stars, regardless of who you are. That has always been the true beauty and uniqueness of America... the ability to set your goals, shoot for the stars and reach them, no matter where you started out in life. Let nothing stand in your way. It's words like this that should be inspiring our kids, not reliance, assistance and expectations. The only thing that you should expect in life is that every second counts because there is no second try.
We are headed down the wrong path and I'm worried there won't be a second try. I write this all in hopes that whoever reads this will take the path less traveled by... the path that will lead us back to where we need to be. Take the time to call your Congressmen and remind them that this is America and it's not too late to stop the spread of "socialism". Please.

Live Your Life With Arms Wide Open

Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten. Don't really love the song that those lyrics came from, but I do find them profound. I like to think that each day is a chance to start fresh... forget what yesterday's page may have said... today is going to be something special. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut... following the same path into town every day, sticking to the same schedule every week, repeating the same greetings, reiturating the same instructions... the repetitiveness can become quite tedious. Sometimes I feel like I am aching for a change.

And yet, change is scary. I have many friends going through some tough changes right now -- divorce, loss of love, loss of job, misplacement, misdirection. Those kind of changes can seem especially undesirable while we are going through them. They are the painful, unwanted, tear your heart out adjustments to our organized, accurate, by the book lives. So... the question is... where do we find that place in between... that place where we don't get stuck in a rut but also that place where we don't have the disturbing, life up heaving changes that scare the pants off of each and every one of us?

Does a place like that exist? I really don't know... but I do know I want to keep searching until I find it. A place where I can turn those tough changes into something positive and encouraging. If I can "live with my arms wide open" then I think that means that I have to be able to take the bad with the good, the difficult with the trouble-free -- take it all in and deal with it as best I can. Otherwise, it seems like I would miss out on what this life is all about.

If life was easy, it would be boring... which puts me back into that place I dislike so much -- a rut! I realize that I am not going through those hard things I listed above -- no divorce, no loss of love, still have my job -- but I watch my friends going through that, and I want to be there, to listen and relate as best I can. I want to say to them that each day is a new day... like the pages of a blank book... and all that each of us can do is write on that page and make it the best we possibly can. (Like these daunting blank blog pages that I have to fill with something meaningful :) If we can make something meaningful, even small, happen in our lives each and every day than we are doing something to get us out of that rut and doing something to fight off that difficult, demanding change in our life.

So... let's all try it... let's open our arms up wide, take a deep breath and say "BRING IT ON, WORLD!"... we've come this far... we know we have the strength and courage to dig ourselves out of that rut or to face that life changing challenge head on! Now, bend down and touch your toes.... (might as well get some good stretching in there while we're at it :)

37 Candles

Yikes -- that's enough to light a small village! Fortunately, no one was dumb enough to try and light that many candles at one time... but I did have my very own princess cake :) My friends at work really went out of their way to give me a special day... from a large choir singing down the halls of our office, to balloons, cards, candies, cookies, cakes, pizza and then an evening out with my two favorite boys (and one of Dallas's sweet friends). I think everyone was trying to fatten me up a bit. But seriously, it was a great day!

And it got me trying to remember some of my other memorable birthdays. Unfortunately, I really do have a bad memory...I mean really bad. Bad enough that I worry about how bad it is :) My grandma had Alzheimers and both of my parents have pretty poor memories (I have proof -- my mom thought this was my 34th birthday and my dad thought it was last weekend.), so I guess it really depresses me to know that mine is slipping, too.

The first one I can vividly remember was my fifth birthday. I remember my mom made me a cake that looked like a doll and I wore a dress similar to the one on the cake. This was a big deal for me as I have never been one to wear dresses OR play with dolls. I also remember that birthday because it was my first glimpse of how selfish and self absorbed I could be. My mom gave me a lovely party with my friends from school (Sargent school at that time). We played games and I remember getting angry and crying and pitching an all out temper tantrum when I didn't win "Pin the Tail on the Donkey". (I really did want to win that prize!) How horrified my mom must have been!

Somewhere around 12 or 13, my mom threw me a surprise party at our home in Littleton, Colorado. I remember that one because I had been fighting with some of my good friends at the time and I think my mom threw the party hoping to mend our friendships. I was shocked to hear them yell surprise and even though we didn't really make up that night, we are all still friends to this day, so it obviously all worked out in the end. My mom has always gone above and beyond the call of duty to make my birthdays (and every other day) as special as she possibly could. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful mother!!

My 16th birthday was a good one! My gift was a pink MG convertable! I know what your thinking... pink?? But lets remember back to that 5th birthday I described... I was a bit self-absorbed and rather spoiled. SO -- of course, if I wanted a pink car-- a pink car it was! This was a gift from my dad and even though it only lasted 6 months before I was run over by a 1 ton farmers pick-up truck, it was still a very generous and awesome gift. Plus it went well with the image of "Barbie" that was perpetuating around town about me and my fellow blonde friends :)

21st... I remember this one because I was holding my three month old daughter in my arms! Also, my good friends from Target (where I was working at the time) took me out on the town to celebrate the fact that I could OFFICIALLY buy alcohol and hit the night clubs. Not that I was much of a night clubber... I never seemed to fit into that crowd. Also, my dad took me to Cripple Creek for that birthday to have my first go at gambling. I lost $200 and decided I didn't need to do that ever again. I haven't.

I've been with Bart since my 23rd birthday and he has frequently gone out of his way to make the day special for me. This year he bought me a new road bike, which I so desperately needed and wanted! It's beautiful and I love him for spoiling me with some new wheels... blue this time, with two wheels instead of four! Besides... remember, I do like to be spoiled... it really is ALL ABOUT ME, right?? :)

Therapy Session

It's amazing how a beautiful day can change your outlook on things. I was so mad yesterday. My face was literally hot all day and I'm sure my blood pressure was up. I was mad about something that had happened to Dallas and even more upset with how I reacted to it. But, I have to say... it's delightful to know how quickly we can release that anger and wake up the next day feeling like life is good once again. It helped, too, that Dallas handled the situation more maturely than I did :). He was able to move on far more quickly than I was. And even though he might like to hide from the nastiness of the world, he went to school and faced it all head on.

This past Thursday, Dallas found out that two of his "friends" at our homeschool tutorial group had played a little prank on him. Dallas has had a YouTube page online for a year or more where he proudly posts videos of himself playing guitar, performing magic tricks, riding his skateboard, etc... These two boys also have a YouTube account and they decided it would be fun to make some changes to some of Dallas's videos. The first video they made was a rap version of Dallas's videos... which included adding the sounds of cricketts during Dallas's magic tricks, freezing his face in odd positions, and making him repeat words. The second video was titled "Farting" and was an edited version of Dallas's guitar video with the addition of farting sounds and the comment "This boy stinks anyway."

Keep in mind, we have had these boys over to our house for a camp out, to spend the night, taken them ice skating and invited them to Dallas's birthday party. Dallas considered them his friends. Being a docile but now angry mom, I called the mother of one of the boys involved. She reacted with the approriate amount of shock and said she would talk to her son.

Within a few short minutes, she called me back sounding much less appropriately frustrated with her son and instead more condemning of me and Dallas. She told me that they would remove the videos and her son would write an apology letter to Dallas. Nevertheless, she went on to tell me that her son said that he felt like Dallas doesn't include him in things. As IF that was an excuse for the hurtful videos and cruel comment her son had posted on the World Wide FREAKING Web of Dallas. She went on to LECTURE me about how I needed to talk to Dallas about this and that even though they don't have to be great friends, they could at least be nice to each other.

And WHAT DID I DO?? Nothing!! I said as little as I could and got off the phone as fast as I could. She lectured me for several minutes and rather than defend myself and my son, I just sat there and listened to the complete nonsense she was launching at me. I have always struggled with confrontation and I hate that about myself. When people confront me, my mind goes blank, I start shaking, my voice sounds quavery and I completely back down. I think of all the things I should have said the minute I am out of the situation.

I have tried to tell myself that I did the right thing by not hurling insults at her and telling her exactly how I felt. And I guess it made it easier to move forward today knowing that I have nothing to regret. Dallas certainly moved forward. There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere... a line where I feel good about my response, not back down, but express exactly what I feel without getting out of control. Maybe someday I will get there. Probably not... but at least I can always blog about all the things I would have liked to have said... like a therapy session for the feeble and wimpy :)

Goals...shmoals! Here we go 2009!

Goals scare me! I know that sounds weird. I have plenty of "goals", but the idea of putting them out there for everyone to know when I have or haven't reached them scares me. I think if I just called them something else, maybe it wouldn't be so intimidating... like maybe if I said "My dreams for 2009 are... " That sounds a bit more light and fluffy and not so set in stone, do or die. We can dream about a lot of things, but that doesn't mean we have to go crazy to fulfill those dreams, right?

So, it's six in the morning and dark out and I'm "dreaming" about 2009. Okay, the economy sucks -- as if any of us needed to be reminded about that. I have had several good friends lose their jobs this past year, some almost lose their homes, and I am thankful each day I walk into my job at the real estate company and don't hear the words "Devon, we can't keep you on anymore". I'm also a bit afraid of what Obama might do to our democratic, free country... but I really don't want to dwell on this depressing stuff... it really isn't like me. Soooo.....

Let's focus on the good stuff! I know that I have tirelessly mentioned how much I love to travel. But, I can't think of a better way to start out the year than with a ski trip to West Virginia. I've never been to West Virginia and watching Dallas tackle those slopes like a champ was a blast! And then in February, I get to go to North Carolina to visit Leesa (and run this silly little thing called a HALF FREAKING MARATHON). I haven't ever been to North Carolina either, so I can't wait to see that beautiful state with a beautiful friend. After that... the sky is the limit. We don't have any vacations planned right now... but I do love to plan! (Holy cow...I just saw a skunk run across my front yard... is that a bad omen??? I hope not!) Anyway... sorry about the interuption... I love to plan and hope that this year will bring a trip to Colorado for us to see Bart's dad. He had a massive stroke last year and we STILL haven't gotten to see him (Bart has, we haven't), so I really hope that we will make it out there. (OKAY... that skunk just ran by again... this is freaking me out!! )

Apparently I am a little ADHD this morning. Dreams... okay... let's talk about races for a moment. On top of the race in North Carolina, I am signed up for the Country Music Marathon in Nashville in April. YES, I did say MARATHON, not 1/2 marathon... but I really don't think that completing the whole thing is really what I will do, but what the heck... it's worth a try, right? I want to do at least two olympic distance triathlons (maybe the Chattanooga one and the Music City Tri -- that's a picture of Shelley and me waiting to drowned at the last Music City race). Then of course, I DREAM of completing the Ironman 70.3 in Augusta, Georgia in September. I have actually convinced (I think) two other friends to do it with me, so that will help me reach my "dream". I don't think I will do any more sprint distance tri's but I want to volunteer at as many as I can. I want to do several long rides (hopefully some with Glenn), maybe not a century, but at least a few metric centuries.

As for the rest... Chelsie will graduate this year (YIKES!) and is off to Tennessee Tech in the fall (DOUBLE YIKES!). I'm going to miss her more than I can even express, but I am so excited for her! Simply watching her enjoy her final days in "high school" and heading off to college is the best dream I could ever imagine for 2009! Dallas is a sheer joy to be around, so he's easy. I would love to have him do the GJCC sprint tri with me again this year, but that's my dream and not his, so if he doesn't want to... that's okay. He will be finishing up 7th grade and starting 8th in the fall... I just hope he has a blast with his friends and keeps up his happy, sweet personality (I'm not ready for puberty with him... can we delay this as long as possible, please??)

For Bart, I hope that he gets to spend more time with his dad and what a dream it would be for his dad to be able to start talking again! All I dream for Bart is that he enjoys what he does each and every day and can do it with a smile on his face (I get depressed when he doesn't wake up with a smile!) This is a picture of him working on our kitchen. He told me yesterday to start picking out paint colors and carpet -- what a DREAM it will be to have paint on our walls and new carpet in the living room!

Okay... so like I said... there aren't a lot of goals here... just a lot of dreaming of the future...whatever it may hold. Time does seem to skoot by awful fast these days (2010 will be the year of my 20th high school reunion -- OH MY GOD!) So, may 2009 slow down just a tad so we can savor each and every minute with those we love and enjoy each day like it's our last! HAPPY 2009 EVERYONE!!