tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51056578448791654162024-03-12T23:15:34.603-07:00Got My Soul SingingHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-3922567469042151012019-02-07T17:01:00.000-08:002019-02-07T17:08:58.707-08:00Everything is Awesome in AmericaA thing happened yesterday. As I was scrolling though Facebook, I saw a comment regarding gender inequality and racism in America. This gentleman said that women and minorities “have it way better than they did 50 years ago” and that gender and race issues just don’t exist today. Now, I should really know better by now than to argue with people who subscribe to this kind of warped thinking. Nothing I say will convince them that just because slavery is illegal, and women and African Americans can vote, doesn’t mean things are OK. It doesn’t mean we’re done. <br /><br />I made a comment anyway. What happened next was a series of insane, irrelevant gaslighting tactics that left me angry, and quite honestly, baffled. I had about 5 different people rapid fire commenting, antagonizing, and jonesing for a response. They pounced like greedy, wild eyed trolls, out for blood. When my initial irritation (turned anger) dissipated, I realized, “fuck this”. This kind of interaction will result in nothing but a waste of my time, which is too limited and precious as it is. I mean, these people were talking about finance, how wonderful their family is at their jobs, and how democrats are “intellectually bankrupt”, and not one of them addressed the fact that racism is still a very prevalent factor in this country. Ultimately, I decided to let them know that I would not be attempting to debate 5 different people (none of whom I even know, though my father somehow does) who weren’t interested in hearing what I had to say anyway. I was told it was preferable that if I am “unable to engage and defend” my views, that I should “refrain from injecting comments in the first place”. To be clear, I am not unable, I was just unwilling. There was no reason to waste my time, and allow multiple people to try to tear me down by not even addressing my original concern; racism. To claim that racism is just “alternative facts” or “made up by the democrats” is completely insane. <br /><br />Some facts (that they so desperately wanted to debate) are that African Americans are 2X as likely to be unemployed than whites, or that Black students are 3X more likely than White students to be suspended for the SAME INFRACTIONS. Or, that Blacks make up 13% of the population, but 40% of the prison population because White people are 20% less likely to be sentenced jail time and even when they are, serve shorter sentences for similar crimes. Blacks are almost twice as likely to be pulled over as whites, and more likely to be searched following the stop. The list of proof goes on and on and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/09/18/theres-overwhelming-evidence-that-the-criminal-justice-system-is-racist-heres-the-proof/?fbclid=IwAR3ak0CsJvP2t6kTnhwG40cn5LkVrr-TS4Qu5nQX10platC8IyK7F3tsKDo&noredirect=on&utm_term=.1edd31f968b1">on.</a><br /><br />Racism is ALIVE AND WELL in America, and older White dudes who pretend it’s “alternative facts”, instead of recognizing the systemic injustice of our society are not worth my time. No one cares that you were “team quarterback” 40 years ago if you are an ego inflated twit now.<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
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<span style="line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><i>Bath time for the children...more later on how awesome it is to be a woman.</i></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-36061767054965166192019-01-29T15:19:00.000-08:002019-01-29T15:19:22.403-08:00Haters gonna hate.I'm a believer in knowledge. It's kind of a hobby of mine to learn things, research things I'd like to understand better. Knowledge is power. When you are pursuing a degree, you study the subject matter. When people are diagnosed with an illness, they look into causes, and cures. People research where to take vacations, who the best doctor is in their area, how to crochet! So, it's only natural that when a problem presented itself in my life, and left me baffled and speechless (and angry and sad) I decided to arm myself by trying to understand the why. It won't solve the problem, it won't change the people that could desperately use the change, but it WILL make me feel proactive. It will keep me from over thinking things and doubting myself.<br />
So, one thing I have learned is that in Africa it is common for psychologists to assess people in terms of physical age (number of birthdays celebrated) AS WELL AS emotional age. This <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resolution-not-conflict/201603/can-you-spot-10-signs-childish-adult">article</a> goes on to list 10 signs of emotional immaturity in "adults". It helped to read, a little. Knowing that some people just make up lies about you because they are emotionally stunted, doesn't really take the sting out, but I guess it confirms that it is their issue, not mine. Just like knowing that people <a href="https://www.sowhatireallymeant.com/articles/personality-traits/gossip/">gossip</a> to feel superior, or for attention, doesn't make it okay, it still validates that no matter how much I care or give to others, sometimes it will go unappreciated. Sometimes you have to look for a silver lining. Sometimes people can really disappoint you, but this has all made me appreciate the stable people in my life. My goal is to make it a point to let them all know in one way or another over the next few months. The people that value you, that lift you up, and make life brighter are the ones to focus on. Those are the ones to seek out. I'm so fortunate to have so many people in my life that recognize my worth, my passion, my kind heart. Those people make you strong. They are a life raft, a strip of land on the horizon, when you are drowning. The right people can make you feel invincible when others want to break you down. So...despite their efforts, I. will. not. break.<br />
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side note: if people or life is getting you down, listen to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4IZbCl6iR4&list=RDP4IZbCl6iR4&start_radio=1&t=102">this</a>. It's my current anthem.<br />
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<br /> <br /><br /><br /><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-72044678002224929522019-01-16T08:25:00.000-08:002019-01-16T08:26:11.687-08:00Never Again?<br />
I recently visited Barnes and Noble to peruse some new reading material. I have a bit of a "problem" when it comes to reading, and left with six books. Two of them, I had in mind when I walked in, the other four I spotted on various tables and couldn't leave without. I love reading, getting sucked into another world, and forming relationships with the characters. A good book is entertaining, a great book makes you<i> feel</i>. And some books, they can ignite a fire in you. <u>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</u>, by Heather Morris, is one of those books. <br />
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I, like most American High Schoolers, learned about the Holocaust during one of my Social Studies classes. The sad truth is I couldn't tell you what year, or what the course even covered. I don't feel that most children that age are yet capable of really understanding or processing the<i> gravity</i> of what occurred during that horrifying time. I wasn't. After I graduated undergrad, I worked as a long term substitute assistant teacher in a Social Studies class. The teacher taught a 3 week lesson on the Holocaust each year. It was then, at 22 or 23 years old, the I really learned and processed what happened. I was<i> floored</i>. I developed a slight obsession with learning all I could, reading every book I could get my ha<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">nds on, in a failed attem</span>pt to understand how the Holocaust could have happened.<br />
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<u>The Tattooist of Auschwitz</u> kind of reignited that fire. I cried so many times reading it. I cried giving a synopsis of it to some of my employees. I'm trying not to cry right now as I type this. To read personal stories of real survivors, to read their horror of not only their bleak situation, but of how stunned they were when children,<i> babies</i>, started coming to the camps - I can't even put emotion into words. I won't even try. It is truly unfathomable. My purpose for even writing an entry on this, is the fact that after it was over, after the survivors went home, there was a general "Never Again" credo. We can never again let something like this occur, except we have. Hugo Schiller, a Holocaust survivor living in Florida says this:<br />
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<i>"We haven't learned very much. And certainly we have had our Rwanda's after this where people were killed just because of who they are...There's always hope but so far we haven't evolved since the time of the Holocaust."</i><br />
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Other survivors wonder what will happen when there are no survivors left to tell their stories. A <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">recent study has these horrible <a href="http://cc-69bd.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Holocaust-Knowledge-Awareness-Study_Executive-Summary-2018.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">findings</a>:</span><br />
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 34.4px 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">66% of millennials did not know what Auschwitz was. </span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 34.4px 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 11% of US adults and 22% of millennials said they either hadn't heard of or were not sure whether they had heard of the Holocaust. </span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 34.4px 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 31% of adults and 41% of millennials believe — incorrectly — that 2 million Jews or fewer were killed during the Holocaust. The number most frequently cited is <b>6 million</b>, but the actual number is almost certainly higher. </span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 34.4px 0px; padding-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> While 84% of adults knew the Holocaust happened in Germany, only 37% knew it occurred in Poland, only 6% knew it occurred in Latvia, and only 5% knew it occurred in Estonia and Lithuania. </span></li>
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<span style="color: black;">Right now my children are too young to learn about the holocaust, so I'm not sure what the school lessons are like, what they cover, what they don't. What I do know, is that if 66% of millennials don't even know what Auschwitz was, then it's not enough. I'm not going to put it all on the schools either. Parents have an obligation to raise their children to be aware, be kind, and to do what is RIGHT. How can the future generations stop something terrible form happening<i> again</i> if they are unaware that it even happened in the first place? The survivors will one day be gone, but their stories need to be told. Forever. Children are not born bigots. They are not born racist. They are not born assholes. They learn it. They learn it from their parents. If you are a parent that says your kid learned it from "a friend" or "at school" or "on tv", than you are still failing at not correcting those behaviors and shortcomings. We have to do better. Let the Holocaust, in all its unnecessary violence and hatred, be a lesson that we can learn and grow from. Stop hating people simply for what they are. Please, do better for your children, and our children's children. Do better.</span></div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-6800269053997431482019-01-09T09:12:00.003-08:002019-01-09T09:12:44.617-08:00Don't stop searching until you find themI have made some absolutely wonderful friends over the course of my life. Some individual friends, some parts of groups that did everything together. Friendship and Loyalty have always been a central, defining, idea in my life. I cherish my friends and many of them I consider family, but one thing I never had in my teens, or even 20's, was a tribe. A group of "girlfriends". A group of women that support each other and lift each other up, that were all friends. It took many years, many moves, ultimately across the county, but I've found them. It started small, and seems to have grown every year :) but isn't that fabulous? Finding more and more women to fit, like puzzle pieces, into each other's lives?!?<br />
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After some serious reflection on these women, and the parts they each play in my life, (and one slightly horrifying moment where I realized one of them is the same amount of years older than my daughter, as I am older then her) it occurred to me that possibly the reason we work IS the age range between all of us. We range from 23-38 years old. Some of us are married, some engaged, some dating, some single. Some of us have children. Some of us own our homes, some rent, some live at home with their parents. I think we each offer a unique perspective on life, given where we are at in our own, that adds to the richness and balance of the group.<br />
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Women can be catty, petty, manipulative and downright mean. It's a fact. Some people are just assholes. The first step in finding good, decent people to befriend, is being one yourself. I am a true believer in attracting what you put out. You want friends who aren't assholes? Don't be an asshole.<br />
The best part about these women who I am so fortunate to have found, is that I know that the true girlfriends I made before they came into my world would adore them too, and vice versa. They'd open up their arms and treat them with love and respect. There would be no guarded dispositions, no jealousy, no cattiness. Just good people hanging with good people. Are we perfect? OF COURSE NOT. No one is. We all have our faults, as well as strengths, that make us who we are. We are always learning and growing (often from each other), and adulting to the best of our abilities. Being Human. <br />
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For a period of my life I had a dude tribe (still do, scattered as they may be), and I was the "momma hen" holding down the fort. A tribe of ladies is a totally different ballgame, different vibe. 10 years ago, I couldn't have imagined finding this many women that all get along, like REALLY get along and love each other. It was a foreign concept to me. But here I am, living the tribe, the squad, the girl gang dream. I literally couldn't imagine my life without them now.<br />
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Put out what you want to receive. Don't be an asshole. Don't stop searching until you find them.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-70630331246594007672017-01-23T13:12:00.002-08:002017-01-23T13:12:20.753-08:00They marched.Some mornings I wake up and my head is already spinning with words I need to get out and I know that by the time I get a moment (my lunch break) I'll never remember everything I need to say. Social Media is ruining me because there is so much hate and bullshit...the stupid memes about how "women's rights weren't taken away" or "democrats should spend more time feeding the homeless and less time protesting", or "millennials are crybaby snowflakes" (that one is just old and played out at this point people". And really, it's bullshit. I mean, <br />
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Something AMAZING happened this past weekend. Millions...MILLIONS of men and women rallied and protested and people don't get it. "What are they even protesting?" "They are a bunch of idiots"...or my personal favorite - "Republicans never protested/rioted after Obama was president, we were too busy working"..and if you really believe that, we've got bigger problems, b/c there were plenty of irate people out there rioted, beating people, making death threats etc. But here is the difference...the people that were out there upset about Obama were upset b/c he was BLACK. They lit nooses on fire and sprawled racist words on peoples houses and cars. The people that were out on Saturday at the (many many many) Women's marches were doing so because we've elected a scumbag to be President. These men and women marched b/c they know, and want their sons and daughters to know, that its not ok to grab women by the pussy, or kiss them whenever you want, or demand dinner be on the table, or get bored when a woman becomes successful, or mock the disabled, or call someone a derogatory name based on their ethnicity, or call women fat cows, or bitches. Think about this: Kids go to school. The teacher of the class is the person in charge, the role model. How many of you would be ok if your child came home and said "My teacher says its ok to grab a girl by the pussy"? or "My teacher called me Miss. Piggy" or "My teacher said we should have expected sexual harassment in the military", "My teacher said POW's are not war hero's", "My teacher said blacks are lazy"...I could go on and on. We wouldn't allow a teacher to talk to his or her class like that, so why, WHY is it ok for the PRESIDENT OF THE WHOLE UNITED STATES??? And why do the folks who voted for him not get it? You know he's said all of this and MORE...why are you ok with that.<br />
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The men and women who marched, marched because everyone in the LGBT community is a HUMAN just like you and they deserve the same rights as you. They deserve to be treated like people, and they certainly deserve to have marital rights.<br />
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These people marched because a woman deserves to decided what is right for her body. I know this is a touchy subject, abortion, but if you don't believe in them, you don't get them. Leave everyone else alone. Why should a woman who was raped be forced to have a child? Why should a woman who is on birth control b/c she DOESN'T WANT A BABY YET be forced to have a child if she becomes pregnant? Why should a women who doesn't have access to affordable birth control be forces to have a baby if she is not ready? WHY is it the woman's responsibility to control all of this. A man can get a woman pregnant and just leave...he can make the choice to not be a father, why is a woman not granted that same right? A before you say "well, if she doesn't want to get pregnant, she shouldn't have sex", please think. Men can have sex and not worry about any of the repercussions, why is that alright with everyone? What about married couples that don't want children...sorry no sex for you. It makes no sense...<br />
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This march was about so much. When the person in charge of the country says its ok to sexually assault women b/c you are rich, you don't just let that stand. When he wants to take healthcare away from people who's lives depend on it, you don't let that stand. When he cares more about media coverage and tweeting (horrible things about people), you don't just let it stand. When he wants to take away the rights of women, and the LGBT community who are part of this great country he has inherited, you don't let it stand. When he chooses people for his cabinet that are wildly unqualified, you don't let it stand...and so they marched. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-19534514904593881142016-11-09T12:57:00.000-08:002016-11-09T12:57:56.321-08:00When they go low...we go high.It seemed like this was a test, with a really long wait time in between the retake. And we flunked. So now we have 4 years to study, learn, and try harder next time. But when I read that Hillary will most likely take the popular vote, I have hope that this country isn't as screwed up as it would seem. So I had to take a deep breath, and remember that when they go low, we go high. I urge you all to do the same. Take a deep breath and decide how you will proceed over the next 4 years. Decide what you can and will do to make sure this doesn't happen again. We've elected a man who is on record saying racist, sexist things. Bragging about sexually assaulting women. Mocking people with disabilites. Saying we need to close our borders when our entire existence in America is built on immigrants. <br />
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What will you do about this?<br />
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I'm going to spend every second I have making sure my daughters know that those behaviors are NOT ACCEPTABLE. I'll spend every second fighting any policy or policy change I don't agree with. Making sure we continue to make strides in marriage equality, race relations, and hopefully not backtracking our society into an early grave. Focus on what you CAN do...<br />
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When they go low, we go high.<br />
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Try to remember that there are millions out there like us...that believe in a world where rape culture isn't propagated. That believe that love is love. That believe in helping people better themselves here. That believe in women! A woman's right to her body, her right to be paid the same as her male counterparts, her right to not have her pussy grabbed 'BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE IT'. Educate your sons and daughters...please... on love and acceptance and respect.<br />
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When they go low, we go high. <br />
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Insults will get you no where... let your mind, your knowledge, help us get through this seemingly dark time. Because the people that call you names for choosing a qualified candidate are not equipped to make a real change. We are. We are stronger together. So help me, help each other, to not only get through this, but to make sure we don't let progress slip. Be good to each other, love one another. Love trumps hate. always. Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-31169977853318398322016-07-08T09:54:00.001-07:002016-07-08T09:59:41.420-07:00This world we live in<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's falling apart. Have you noticed? People can have their opinions on why, and how, it's happening, but the fact is it doesn't matter. What matters is that it is happening, every day. I've heard people say it's "the gays" bringing down the institution of marriage, that are the cause. I've heard people say it's "the guns", "the minorities", "the millennials", "the homeless", "the liberals", "the conservatives", "the muslims", "the christians"... I'ts always "them". The thing is we are all "them". The one thing, the one constant thing, that is bringing us down is Hate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hate, it has caused a lot of
problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #181818;">―Maya Angelou</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone's head is so far up their own ass, that all they can do is place blame on whatever group of people they hate most for the world crashing down around us. There is so much hatred in this country right now, and everyday there are physical acts of violence that prove it. "United we stand, divided we fall"? Has that ever been more true? When will we realized that violence breeds violence, hate breeds hate; that you can't combat fire with fire? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">"Darkness cannot drive
out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can
do that." -------Martin Luther King, Jr.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is no longer a strong nation. We are crumbling, we are broken, and it's because we have become so full of anger, and revenge. People are at their weakest when they are angry. We've taken the easy way out, we no longer have what it takes to fight for our own country. It's far easier to hate, than to love and forgive, and yet that is what we so desperately need right now. We need compassion, we need understanding. What we need (here is the ECE teacher in me) is for everyone to take a damn deep breath and focus.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“I will permit no man to narrow
and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #181818; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">―Booker T. Washington</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 14.98px;">I don't have a solution other than not going along for the ride down. I won't spiral with the rest of you. I know there is goodness left, even if we don't see it as much as the darkness. I see it everyday, in my children, in the people I choose to surround myself with. My goal is to educate my children, to fill them with enough love and compassion, and resilience to carry them through this world, to be better than we are now. Kindness is an incredibly powerful tool, but right now so many people are refusing to use it. We are deteriorating, and every hateful person, committing every hateful act are throwing fuel on this fire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; line-height: 107%;">“Spread love, joy and
compassion because the world needs it, for hatred and pain need no escort; they
know how to survive without it.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color: #181818; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">―<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%; text-decoration: none;">Radhika Mundra</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-40763018220959705832016-05-17T13:08:00.000-07:002016-05-17T13:51:51.544-07:00Heather for President 2020I'm thinking about running for President, and because I am a millennial, I figure I'll use social media and blogging to get the word out. Oh, and of course I'll need a Gofundme account to raise the fees to even get on the ballot...in all 50 states for the best outcome. I'll hopefully raise enough additional funds to have t-shirts and buttons made for all of my supporters. The next thing I'll need to do is figure out which political party I align with, though what I'd really like to do is create my own. Republicratic? Demolican? Everyone is way to ONE sided these days and I don't think I want my platform to be so singular. <br />
<br />
First and foremost, do I meet the requirements to run?<br />
<br />
1. Citizen of the USA? Check, I was born here (as were my parents)- good to go.<br />
2. Lived here for 14+ years? Check. My whole life.<br />
3. At least 35 years of age? Check. I'd be the youngest president ever elected, but I meet the requirement.<br />
<br />
Other things in my favor: I've taken public speaking classes (my BA is in Interpersonal Communication). I have no criminal record. I'm not a douche bag. <br />
<br />
Ok, now for the good stuff: my campaign. Here are my stances on some hot topic issues:<br />
<br />
<b>Immigration</b>: Come here LEGALLY. Speak, or learn to speak, English. Get a job and pay taxes, like everyone else. <br />
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<b>Same-Sex Marriage</b>: Why is this still an issue? No one elses marriage should matter to you, but your own. Grow up and get over it. Thanks.<br />
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<b>Education</b>: Please, dear lord, tell me why teachers get paid so little in comparison to many other jobs. Years and years (and years) of education are required, they are subject to unnecessary, and<br />
unattainable goals, and we treat them like crap. Furthermore, can we get some funding in ECE?? THOSE teachers are also REQUIRED by some states to be highly educated, but yet they get treated like babysitters. <br />
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<b>Gun Control</b>: Stupid people with guns kill people, not the guns. Can we have Stupid people control? In all seriousness, stricter policies on purchases are definitely in order.<br />
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<b>Taxes</b>: Wealthy people should pay higher taxes. #sorrynotsorry. I'm a teacher, I can't afford taxes.<br />
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<b>Terrorism</b>: I'm going to pass this issue off to be handled by the "First Gentleman", Eric Pilletere.<br />
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Who's going to vote for me???<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-57942484579160231542013-07-18T09:40:00.000-07:002013-07-18T09:42:06.448-07:00Tattoos and God<span style="color: blue; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Ok, I know this is a pretty touchy subject for some people. There are the "devout" who think that I (and my husband, and siblings, and most of my friends) will be taking a trip "downtown" when we die, and then there are the others. Let me be clear: I DO believe in God. 100%. But I dont subscribe to organized religion (despite being raised in a Roman Catholic family) as I think it is responsible (through its followers) for a lot of hate. I respect religion and absolutely see that it has a place in society, but I prefer my own spin on God. I truly believe that being a good person, and educating myself, and being tolerant, and accepting is more important than whether or not someone has tattoos. Cal</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">l me crazy. Alot of what I have found/heard as far as arguments from Christians against tattoos is " Ye shall not make any cuttings in</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you..." Leviticus 19:28. I need to point out that 1. this is from the old testament, and 2. it referred to pagans who, at the time, practiced cutting and "tattooing" their dead to appease their God. Now, the old testament also had some other "rules" that I doubt many Christians follow or consider a sin, such as "...Neither shall a garment of mixed linen and wool come upon you" Lev. 19:19 or "You shall not eat anything with the blood" Lev. 19:26 (ummmm, helloooo, filet mignon medium rare please)</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">. Its hypocrisy to pick and choose what you want to enforce from your bible. Times have changed and the people getting tattoos are not pagans worshiping satan. We are normal people...like everyone else. Some of us are believers and some are not. Some of us are good people, and some are not...but it has nothing to do with our ink. I think what these "Christians" who damn us to hell for tattoos are forgetting are some essentials of being Christian. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" Rom. 15:7, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification" Rom. 14:19. It is really sad for me, as a mother now, to still see so much hate in the world. It's very important to me that my daughter grows up to think for herself and judge people on their character and heart rather than their skin. Its important to me that she have faith in something, but not so blindly that she judges others on ridiculous notions that just don't apply anymore. I want her to see that her mom is a good woman, mother, wife, who yes, has tattoos, but treats others with respect, has a strong work ethic and good morals. I don't every want her to be that kid (and yes this really happened with another child and a friend of mine) that walks up to someone and says "you are not going to heaven because God doesn't like tattoos"... I think there are far more important lessons we could be teaching our children. If Reilly decides to get a tattoo one day, I will love her just as much as I have since the day I found out I was having her. Imagine if we all starting being really Christian and accepting others for who they are and not what you see on the outside. My tattoos don't make me a bad person, they don't make me a bad mother, they dont stop me from being awesome at my job, they don't make me less intelligent. They aren't harming anyone, so, what is the big deal?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #111111; color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-42224098086160974092012-01-12T07:25:00.000-08:002012-01-12T07:38:23.065-08:00Update on life in generalI know I know...you've been waiting eagerly, yearning even, for a new post from yours truly. Well, Im alive! The Holiday season was a crazy whirlwind...lots of work to prepare for the week off i had, lots of treats from families at our school, lots of lbs gained, and a lot of family fun back east. On a side note, I didnt accomplish the number of Random Acts of Kindness I had planned, but I did get a few fun things done. Funny story, I tried to by coffee for someone at starbucks while<i> inside</i> and the person was confused, and pretty much refused my good deed. Lesson learned ~ tried it at the drive thru on the next go round :) I also baked cookies and left them at random neighbors doors... tried to smile more at people (instead of what I usually do; avoid any eye contact so no one will bother me). Its not much, but its a start. <div><br /></div><div>So, the holidays are over, Im back at work. Reilly is WALKING! She is doing wonderfully, chatting up a storm, repeating everything, and she is just such a happy baby...excuse me, toddler. Her teachers always tell me how smart she is...but I havent decided if they are just sucking up to me b/c I'm their boss! Just Kidding! She is SUPER smart, and I know EVERYONE probably thinks that about their kid, but seriously...so smart. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eric has been home for a couple of months now, and I finally feel like we have found our groove again...and its awesome having him here and watching him with Reilly. She loves him so much! Life is good people...Life is good.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-52200582564831238282011-11-18T07:25:00.000-08:002011-11-18T07:45:14.246-08:00(Un)Believable Ignorance<div><a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Colored-Only-Sign-Posted-Over-NY-College-Drinking-Fountain-134028098.html">http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Colored-Only-Sign-Posted-Over-NY-College-Drinking-Fountain-134028098.html</a> ~ stole this from a friends (and former roomate at the college in question) facebook page. </div><div><br /></div><div>Its nearly 2012 and we have made little to no progress towards tolerance in the world. As an intelligent, free thinking, rational person, I can not fathom the thought processes of some people. What makes a person so hateful? How do people become so racist and only see color, and not the fact that its just another person? A simple answer? Parents. Kids learn this behavior from their parents, and if its not a direct result of a parents racism, its their indifference to others racism that allows it to continue. How, in 2012, at a College campus does this happen. Im sad. It breaks my heart to think about the person that did this, and it breaks my heart that my daughter will grow up in a world where this exists. All I can do as her mom, is teach her. Teach her that racism is not acceptable, teach her to love others and be kind (within reason, obviously), teach her to stick up for those that need her too. I want her to know and understand that this kind of behavior is just not ok. Its childish, its hurtful, and its wrong. I want situations like this to make her as angry as they make me and I want her to never back down from something she believes in. I know that it is very rare that a person's mind can be changed: people born into racist beliefs will likely always feel that way. Thats why we need to start from scratch, teach our children the RIGHT path to take. </div><div><br /></div><div>Im really angry and frustrated right now, having read this article just minutes before I wrote this. Hopefully it makes sense...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-22227968556299139672011-10-25T16:15:00.000-07:002011-10-25T16:24:00.035-07:00Karma ShmarmaSo, what happens after I pronounce my faith in good karma and making others happy? My apartment building has a massive fire! And Reillys room smells like a camp grounds. My poor girl is sleeping in her pack n play in the spare room. <div><br /></div><div>I will say that she has been sleeping like a rock in there! 12 straight hours two nights in a row! A mom could get used to that. So, here is the thing, the title of the post is just for giggles. Karma is definitely real... This fire was unbelievable, and there is a hallway that leads to an "emergency door" in the nursery and all we got was an offensive smell. My complex is repainting Reilly's room, cleaning the carpets AND installing an ozone filter in there. We were lucky indeed. No significant damage to our things, and no one injured. A neighbor in the building, who noticed the fire, ran through knocking on doors and telling people to get out....Good Karma is coming his way for sure.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-15209595528156475302011-10-21T06:19:00.001-07:002011-10-21T06:48:24.378-07:00Worst. Blogger. Ever.Seriously, I am. Until yesterday, I honestly totally forgot that I had even started a blog. Let me just say that even the most awesome, put together, intelligent, strong woman (me) cant be perfect. This has been a really crazy year for me. I've been raising a truly amazing little girl alone while Eric is away. He is due home in a matter of weeks now, just an FYI. I cant wait for him to really get to know her, and vice versa. I have done my best to post pictures and videos and keep him updated on her life and progress, but it doesnt even come close to being with her. More about Eric and Reilly in another post though. Today I want to help a friend help the world :) I have this pretty awesome friend back in NY who is so thoughtful, soulful, eloquent and kind. Everything she says, writes, thinks, and dreams is so inspiring to me, and its refreshing to be inspired by ANYTHING when so much is wrong with the world today. She is really amazing at finding the good in the world and i'd like to do the same. She has a blog (that she actually writes on) and Im going to steal one of her ideas (that she stole from someone else). Random Acts of Kindness. She is doing 27 before her 28th birthday. Im going to tweak it a bit, and after the holidays I will do 31 acts before my 32nd birthday. For now, Im going to focus on 10 Acts. So that is about 1 per week until Christmas. I figure that is a good start. I hope that this will inspire someone else to be randomly kind, like my friend inspired me. <div><br /></div><div>Happy Friday!!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-80586254533221636642011-04-02T17:15:00.000-07:002011-04-02T17:27:43.803-07:00class of '98The other day on the radio they were talking about prom songs, so of course I started trying to remember mine. I cant be sure, but i think it was either the pretenders or billy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">joel</span>. Regardless, that made me start thinking about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">high school</span> and the awesome friends I had. One of the worst things that can happen in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">high school</span> happened to me: I had to move and switch schools. I, honest to God, could not have thought than anything more horrible could happen to me when I had to move to a new school at 15. It really did suck for a little while but I got lucky and met some wonderful kids who group up to be equally wonderful adults. I'll admit that I really suck at keeping in touch with people, but I think about these people often. So, I'd like to thank a few of them. I'd like to thank Kate for being just generally awesome, and for liking tank girl and bio dome as much as I did. Erin for being a really great person, and for loving music and jazz choir as much as me and putting up with me yelling at rehearsals. Tyler for being one of the funniest people I have ever met, and making me laugh often. Drew for putting up with me and letting me into the group even though he thought I was a bitch at first, and for the OUTBACK! John for countless things, but mostly putting up with me and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Michelle</span> :) and Michelle for being my friend through everything. And thank you to everyone out there who has been a part of my life, even in the smallest aspect, because everything <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">I've</span> done, and been through, and every person I've met has made me who I am today...and I'm cool with that.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-80131529935918679482011-03-26T21:15:00.000-07:002011-03-26T21:27:20.509-07:00So, he is gone again. Now I'm in for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">loooooong</span> stretch...can you even imagine not seeing your husband/wife for 7.5 months straight? I cant, and its happening to me right now. The worst was when he first left (it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn't</span> help that he left me from the hospital where I was with our brand new baby), but this time was hard because that was it....last visit, last time we see each other until this is over. I know I have to take it a day at a time. I know I have to focus on our daughter. I know I have to think positive thoughts, and I know I should stay busy. I know. But, I've always been better at giving advice than taking it (because I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">don't</span> usually need it). :) I found this great quote today though, that made me feel just a tiny bit better. "Know that you too are a soldier of sorts. Take pride in knowing that very few women are woven from the kind of cloth that shrouds you. You were made strong when you were made for him." It was on the blog of a fellow army wife, and I really like it. I honestly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> think that <em>everyone</em> could handle this (though I do know a few military wives out there that have). I honestly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> know how <em>I </em>am. I guess <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">thats</span> the best way to describe it, really. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">I'm</span> <em>handling</em> it. Beats the alternative I guess.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-1105288795979153312011-03-08T14:49:00.000-08:002011-03-08T15:26:43.462-08:00Two and a Half Lunatics<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> starting a petition to bring the death penalty back for a one time event starring.....charlie sheen. OK, we get it...your life is so hard with your fans and your own TV show and your millions of dollars. Its easy to see how you could go COMPLETELY INSANE from having it so easy. When I starred in my own TV show, well...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ok</span>, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">don't</span> have a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tv</span> show, but i do have adoring fans....if you count children under age 6 at my childcare center. And I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> have a 2 million dollar a week paycheck, but i have been known to spring for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">starbucks</span> every so often, and boy that $3 cup of coffee really sends me over the edge. jeez, i think i need a drink. How crazy do you have to be to drink, do drugs, cheat on your wife with hookers, give crazy interviews, get arrested, do it all again the next week, and then think you are going to get away with it. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">don't</span> care how famous or rich you are...you got fired Charlie!!! There obviously is a chance he is <em>actually, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">legitimately</span> </em>crazy...however when asked about the possibility that he has bipolar disorder, he responded "Not gonna happen," "I'm bi-winning. I win here. I win there." Wow, Charlie, guess that clears that up. So fine Mr. Sheen, keep being crazy, keep thinking you have tiger blood and that the world is out to get you. Keep saying crazy things and inviting "Goddesses" to live with you and your children. I'll stay in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">normalville</span> where people are accountable for their actions, make middle class wages, and are far, far superior to you. Just <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">sayin</span>'.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-69786650892308040092011-03-04T19:29:00.000-08:002011-03-04T19:39:59.207-08:00happy baby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvosVWQooo4UAVzzfooysME2dat-rY9eEHKNdkvG4yLkIYy2rEEYLrlC84hQnNHGnZX0yLn9rPlmrZcEtyrJeyMsZxx45EXzLEsVlEHl1x2CHOOg6Rs45irXb0iVHP6CkGBSU9BE3f03vU/s1600/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580433267759757890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvosVWQooo4UAVzzfooysME2dat-rY9eEHKNdkvG4yLkIYy2rEEYLrlC84hQnNHGnZX0yLn9rPlmrZcEtyrJeyMsZxx45EXzLEsVlEHl1x2CHOOg6Rs45irXb0iVHP6CkGBSU9BE3f03vU/s320/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I, for sure, have the happiest, cutest baby. She is getting bigger, cuter, more animated everyday, and I love it. I love watching her "talk" and squrim and flail, and try to suck her thumb even though she hadn't quite figured out how to get just her thumb and would end up licking her whole fist. I love watching her kick and splash in the bath tub, and I love watching her watch me when I walk to a different spot. I love the way she pinches my neck when I hold her, even though it kind of hurts. I love how, for some reason, she laughs every time I take her arms out of a shirt, and how she smiles so big when I sing and dance for her. I love dresses her in cute little girl outfits and giant headbands. I love the crazy faces I catch her making when a take a picture of her. And I really love how happy it makes Eric to see those pictures and the videos I try so hard to send. But I would REALLY love if he could see all of these things first hand. Im glad Reilly wont remember this part of our lives and doesnt have to feel what I feel. I dont want to rush my little baby through her first year, but I will be glad when Daddy is home.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-11750688449288075182011-02-01T17:07:00.000-08:002011-02-01T17:18:27.012-08:00I'm back in Colorado, and its 5 below 0 here...It was 70 here while I was in NY...wtf? Anyway, the visit home was great, Reilly got to meet her grandmas, grandpas, great grandparents, cousins, & great aunts/uncles. She was WONDERFUL on both flights, and I am so grateful that I have such a good baby. :) I'd love her either way, but it makes life easier with Eric gone. Reilly and I got together with an old friend and her son, and its really amazing how your life changes when you have a kid. Everything you do and say revolves around that child. Your life is divided into two distint sections: before the baby, and after the baby. And even when you manage to have an adult conversation, one not about your kids, or their kids, you are doing "mom things" without realizing it. Bouncing your baby on your hip while you take a sip of coffee. Wiping drool/spit up/boogies off of their faces while talking about going back to work. Stopping and starting conversations based on their needs. Its a whole new world. I'm in love with this world :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-17199256846997169072011-01-27T09:20:00.000-08:002011-01-27T09:40:07.925-08:00a little late, a little early<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro_5Sev9b9Vx_1IzcZb_ZXZwXYtonRpyxNI5QPFg0lTS424tsTTIhqeoYnAV_aGPi2okfPoH8a2MJ5NAEOOWiAQRI_3qhLpFSsvcYGgNPIwcyuSE-LeD54lmnVUbZ48idJo2lb8Cbqtlk/s1600/reilly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566918210642669810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 232px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro_5Sev9b9Vx_1IzcZb_ZXZwXYtonRpyxNI5QPFg0lTS424tsTTIhqeoYnAV_aGPi2okfPoH8a2MJ5NAEOOWiAQRI_3qhLpFSsvcYGgNPIwcyuSE-LeD54lmnVUbZ48idJo2lb8Cbqtlk/s320/reilly.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Eric and Dad have been waiting for blog posts...it took me a little longer than I would have thought/liked to get back on here. Lets get caught up...slowly. I'll start with the birth of the cutest baby in the world. Reilly wasn't due until Halloween and Eric had to leave on Oct. 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>, so I was all geared up and prepared to have the baby without him. The morning of Oct. 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> our plan was for Eric to pack all of his gear, and then just hang out and relax before I had to take him to the airport the following morning. Reilly had other plans. Eric packed all morning while I laid on the couch because I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wasn't</span> feeling great. I started to think around 1pm that "maybe" I was having contractions, but it seemed too crazy. Around 5:30pm we took a drive to the hospital "just in case". One nurse hooked me up to some monitors and said "yep, you're having contractions"...really? another came in and said "hon, your water broke...you are having your baby"....oh crap! So we were whisked up to my room, where time seemed to FLY, and when Eric left to get all of his stuff from home for his flight in morning, my contractions got bad. That was around 9pm...and I got an epidural, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">don't</span> judge me. Reilly was born at 12:47am, it was a fast, easy labor with no complications even though she was 3 whole weeks early. She just wanted to see her daddy before he left. I was so unprepared to have that baby. I mean, I had my "hospital bag" packed, but mentally not ready. It happened so fast and I am so so so grateful that Eric got to be there...that was such an unexpected blessing. Now, at almost 4 months old, she is the absolute coolest thing I've ever made. Its really amazing how there are no worlds to really describe the feeling of being a mom. You have to wait till it happens to really get it. :)</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-50750850538253957472010-10-06T17:50:00.000-07:002010-10-06T18:08:07.879-07:00Kiss and TellOn the radio this morning they were talking about first kisses (not first ever, but like, first date kisses) and of course I started thinking about my first kiss with Eric. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> sure every woman remembers her first kiss with her husband and thinks it was special. Of course it was special, you married the guy right??? My first kiss with my husband was really awesome and semi movie-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">esque</span>, and for that reason, I'll share it with you. Even if you really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">don't</span> care. It was St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Patricks</span> Day 2005, and we met up with some friends to see a band in NYC. I had just found out that night that Eric liked me. After the show we headed back to Penn station to catch a train home, and like <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">I'm</span> sure many of you have done, we read the schedule wrong ( it was 2 am and we were reading the schedule from the night before) and had to wait a few hours for a train. So we got some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McDonald's</span> and Eric bought some homeless guy some food too. At some point, my still semi drunk self, made a really dumb comment to him and he walked away. I waited a few seconds thinking "God! I am such an idiot" before running after him. I saw him going up the escalator so I got on and as soon as i got to the top I tried to apologize and Eric grabbed my face in his hands and kissed me. The rest is history...we hung out every day after and are now happily married, and having a baby! Maybe its a cheesy story, but I love it, and my life. :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-34186520105460477932010-10-03T19:00:00.000-07:002010-10-03T19:07:37.559-07:00Picture says it all....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcq6YIQa3RqlMLYrUjrZx11KDSbDDZBiPQN_q76bCqA8_mBiDkX1cYdemp9SBpcYdoNaNEr3sak2x4nhWApvr1AuRB1bu1JuKTDCuSHWaln3wQrZGBdBvXU2oi8AYlsNBIW3VKJ4uRXNK/s1600/Grumpy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524005466346434770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxcq6YIQa3RqlMLYrUjrZx11KDSbDDZBiPQN_q76bCqA8_mBiDkX1cYdemp9SBpcYdoNaNEr3sak2x4nhWApvr1AuRB1bu1JuKTDCuSHWaln3wQrZGBdBvXU2oi8AYlsNBIW3VKJ4uRXNK/s320/Grumpy.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have been feeling very....Grumpy....lately. I know, I know its the hormones and pregnancy and everything else going on. I feel fat, my feet are numb, i cant sleep, my body hurts....and WHEN i do complain, Eric just says I sound like <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">I'm</span> mad at the baby...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">grrrrrrr</span>. It is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sooooooo</span> true, men really have no clue what pregnancy does to a woman. Its not his fault, but I want to smack him when he says that. I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks, but its hard. Plus, I just want to meet Reilly already... I hope she comes early....<br /><div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-34960286663356813312010-09-22T16:17:00.001-07:002010-09-22T16:25:49.484-07:00I'm Breaking Up...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVycKtP-olxhAwfdFR53R-Zq_ZaPyFEvZ7IaVXehxD4BiRp7932HZ34_bqvjYv8KeDvmqvvsMTpsh2X4PwwahRidBSfINO0mobRNgtLdvYAzD2XfbfPjCSUKqbeuQU02AEX8e-jtgda0W3/s1600/spirit-treadmill_XT375.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519881135964981538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 310px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVycKtP-olxhAwfdFR53R-Zq_ZaPyFEvZ7IaVXehxD4BiRp7932HZ34_bqvjYv8KeDvmqvvsMTpsh2X4PwwahRidBSfINO0mobRNgtLdvYAzD2XfbfPjCSUKqbeuQU02AEX8e-jtgda0W3/s320/spirit-treadmill_XT375.jpg" border="0" /></a> ...with the gym. I was hoping this day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wouldn't</span> come, or not so soon at least. I have had visions of my self going into labor while at the gym...do people really work out at 38, 39, 40 weeks pregnant??? I cant do it. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">I'm</span> only 34.5 weeks and its just gotten to be too much. First of all, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> so tired after working all day that the last thing I want to do is go work out. Second, my whole <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">freakin</span> body hurts, particularly my lower back, and I just can't imagine exercising. I KNOW I should keep going, and its beneficial and blah blah blah, but its not worth it, I think. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">don't</span> think the next 3-5 weeks is going to make that much of a difference. It is killing me though...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">I'm</span> so torn. I know I should go, but I just cant. And when I think about how I most likely wont be going back until December or January (recovery time and all that), I want to puke. Please, Lord, let my baby girl take to breastfeeding so losing this baby weight is easier on me! <br /><div></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-5936993442561699372010-09-16T12:34:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:48:21.169-07:00Mixed emotions...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTSyuatKjauQUBYJfvxD-lHoJun4Z2MyVWykUSIm-yNqBabiYoZ0-dRIVIlOU4KZAB8JompRkr1UkJ4prrNIKbJdq0BSsV170OB-Li7I4bG9PqHMGMB0S-7JZUQAWA1XmqnE72Ho_qa1V/s1600/jeter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517597672754651842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTSyuatKjauQUBYJfvxD-lHoJun4Z2MyVWykUSIm-yNqBabiYoZ0-dRIVIlOU4KZAB8JompRkr1UkJ4prrNIKbJdq0BSsV170OB-Li7I4bG9PqHMGMB0S-7JZUQAWA1XmqnE72Ho_qa1V/s320/jeter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Ok, so last night during the Yankee/Rays game, Jeter pretended to get hit by a pitch. My brother and I watched the replays, and agreed that he may have gotten hit AFTER the ball hit the bat, but I just read the article on Yahoo news, and it seems I was wrong. Jeter admitted that "there was some vibration...and acting. My job is to get on base." Now, I love the Yankees, and I love Jeter, but part of the reason I love them is that I hold them to a higher standard than other teams (and Jeter to a higher standard than other players). They are supposed to be "better". And they lost anyway!!!! I feel duped... it was a cheap trick by a team that is too good for cheap tricks. I want to beat Tampa Bay...crush them actually, but I'd rather do it "fair and square". It could be my impending motherhood that is amplifying my distaste for this sort of thing... but really, its not a setting a good example. I'd hate to see little league-ers throwing themselves at pitches or faking it to get on base. Maybe I'm wrong...being to extreme, but I don't like it. Be better Yanks...do better.</div><div> </div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-91168160987490266782010-09-15T21:11:00.000-07:002010-09-15T21:16:19.798-07:00This is the man I married....lol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2fpr0GeS4OgZW3PGXx4Rjr3Y7fA3ysbYlQZI4ULCpn78x59yD4aboWOlNetQyrWK4plDWqprNttMlLVJZ6fc2vl0wUqOHNBf9w0u0UzKVUBByv5PWgBTNVHbSZgoflMuBZfHNAMYC9lw/s1600/080.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517359685507360642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2fpr0GeS4OgZW3PGXx4Rjr3Y7fA3ysbYlQZI4ULCpn78x59yD4aboWOlNetQyrWK4plDWqprNttMlLVJZ6fc2vl0wUqOHNBf9w0u0UzKVUBByv5PWgBTNVHbSZgoflMuBZfHNAMYC9lw/s320/080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Since you can't see his face, he claim this not him, but I swear (and those of you who know him will know) this is my husband. Our first ski season out here in Colorado, this is what he does while we are trying to get ready to leave! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LOL</span>! I just randomly found this picture on my computer and actually laughed out loud....good times.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5105657844879165416.post-11525811659769978722010-09-15T20:57:00.000-07:002010-09-15T21:11:32.713-07:00Dont Leave Me!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciE5KQNDNFaq2YqRbt2YijR54Vzwa66oHFoGtkW6rr2J9H5NH-cHvE5QCbbBQi-P0j1NzlTFv9pRKIjcRAr3tdOKx8e6Q3puVI-yB-TQihixHXBKhwBWFhDp5TUg0SeDX5qtSvs-zBWhU/s1600/P1010411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517357896535026594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciE5KQNDNFaq2YqRbt2YijR54Vzwa66oHFoGtkW6rr2J9H5NH-cHvE5QCbbBQi-P0j1NzlTFv9pRKIjcRAr3tdOKx8e6Q3puVI-yB-TQihixHXBKhwBWFhDp5TUg0SeDX5qtSvs-zBWhU/s320/P1010411.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Pretty soon it will be just me and the dogs waiting for the baby to come. Two of my favorite men are leaving! Eric leaves in 3.5 weeks for his deployment, and my bro, Dan is off to National Guard basic training, and school, for about 7 months! Thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">alot</span>! No, seriously, I'm very proud of them both and even though I will miss them terribly, they are doing a great thing. </div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04194483333212329660noreply@blogger.com2