The Unlikely

On the political front

2011-04-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't about government shutdowns or anything of that nature b/c I am not even going to go there. I will say I'm at the point where I just don't care what they do. Well, other than our military and the average, everyday people that work for the federal government not getting paid. I think Nicholas's class of two and three year olds could figure things out better than the people in Washington. And I think the biggest issue with the elected officials in Washington is that none of them remember who they were before they became big shots. Or maybe they were always wealthy. I don't know-- but I know that anyone that remembers what it is like to be pay check to pay check and how hard it is to make it in a average person's world wouldn't act the way those fools are acting.

It is local state politics time! I can sink my teeth into that a little more b/c these are real people running for offices. Or most of them. There are several contests I think are going to be very interesting.

I can honestly say I do not know much about the governor's race other than I can't stand Phil Bryant and won't vote for him. Oh, and that Johnny Dupree is way over his head. We all know the Republican candidate will be Bryant. It's a given. And more than likely, the Democrat will be this Luckett guy. I don't know anything about him other than Morgan Freeman likes him and he once lived in Tennessee. I haven't put much effort to find out anything about him either. I'm sure once it gets closer to the primaries, I'll know plenty. I just hope it's not like four years ago where there was no good choice. Crazy John Arthur Eaves or disgusting Haley Barbour. I actually think I wrote my cat's name in on the ballot.

I was having trouble deciding on who I liked better for Lt. Governor.....Tate Reeves or Billy Hewes. Tate Reeves has been a big face for education which is something I liked. But then Billy Hewes was the one who wrote one of the animal cruelty bills. I know some people may not see that as important but to me it is. More so the fact that he cared that it was important to people than that he wrote it. So I read what they both said at a forum held at MSU recently. And then Tate Reeves marked himself off my list by talking about how much he liked and had supported Haley Barbour. I don't want to see another Barbourish person in any high office in our state. So Billy is getting my vote.

I don't know if anyone is running against Stacey Pickering, but I will completely support him. He has done an excellent job as State Auditor.

Even though I can't vote for him b/c I don't live in his district and he does have some totally different views on some issues than I do, I completely support Chris McDaniel in the State Senate. He is way too conservative for me but he cares about his people. He worked his hiney off to get Nathan's Law passed which is something that is really important. Although I HATE that Nathan Key died and how he died, his death has brought to light something very serious. While I don't think most people that might hit a child and would leave the scene, there are decent people that in the past have passed school buses. (Not me! But other people I know.) His death made them think again about how wrong it was to do that. I'm glad Chris fought so hard for that to be a law.

It means a lot to me when a representative or senator or any elected official fights for their people back home. Even if we have different views on the issues, that gets a lot of respect from me and says more sometimes than opposing views. I remember interview Petal's Mike Lott about five years ago when he was in the one of the houses of state congress. I didn't agree with his view but liked him one of the main reasons of his view: he felt voting a certain way would hurt the people of Petal in the long run financially. He wasn't looking at it as in what was good for the state or people in the larger cities like Jackson, Gulfport, Meridian, Hattiesburg, etc. He was solely thinking about the people he represented in Petal. That stood out to me b/c that is why we have representatives.

It's one of the reasons I like Gene Taylor so much and hated when he got defeated. Gene didn't see his position as Democrat or Republican-- he saw it as what the people he represented wanted. Not just Missisippi, but the area he was elected from which is a more liberal area of the state than a lot of parts (Coast, Hattiesburg). When Katrina hit, he was out there helping his people on the Coast and demanding help from Washington after rescuing people in boats. I seriously doubt Steven Palazzo will fight for people like that. That he was a Democrat is why he lost the race this time b/c people were upset about Obama and Congress. If they would have opened their eyes, they would see keep the person that fights for where he's from instead of playing politics like those fools in Washington are doing now.

I only believe in buying Canon SLR cameras until I am convinced otherwise

2011-04-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

Since my place of employment thought my article this week was too one-sided (although they have no problem writing/printing one-sided articles when it comes to politics, religion, etc). I will post here for reading pleasure. I only wrote about one brand because I could not recommend something I didn't believe in. FYI- the title of the blog is not what I would have titled the article. But it's my blog, and I'll do what I want to.

As a photographer, I get asked quite often about cameras. Everyone that asks me wants a good camera, but they also want it to be easy to use. There are several brands that make good cameras. However, I always tell those that ask me to go with one brand: Canon. I worked at a camera shop in college and tried out all the 35mm SLR cameras (the ones with the interchangeable lenses) before purchasing my first one. I chose the Canon Rebel because it could be as easy or as hard as I wanted it to be. If I was doing photography work or experimenting, I could change the aperture, shutter speed, and adjust settings. If I was taking fun snapshots or letting someone else use my camera to take a photo with me in it, the automatic settings were great. Since then, I have owned three 35mm SLR Canon cameras and two digital SLR Canon cameras.

Since I purchased my first digital Canon SLR, the price for cameras has gone way down. If you are thinking about purchasing a camera to take photos of your family, vacation, kids playing sports, flowers in your yard, or just any average reason most people purchase a camera, here is the one I recommend:

Canon - EOS Digital Rebel XS 10.1-Megapixel: This camera retails from about $400-$550 depending on where you buy it and what all it comes with. This camera is lightweight (for and SLR) and has several automatic settings for the novice. For someone that wants to try new techniques, there are various advanced settings. With the 10.1 megapixels, you can print photo enlargements without them being grainy. It has a pop-up flash or has a slot where you can put on an external flash.

There are other Canon SLR digital cameras besides the one I mentioned that vary in different things such as megapixels, settings, size/weight, screen size, etc. They generally cost more. But for what most people want to take photos of, the Canon-EOS Digital Rebel XS is great.

Barbara Winstead from Stewarts Camera in Hattiesburg also recommends Canon cameras. “We specialize in Canon. Mostly what we sell is the Canon Rebel system. They range from $400-$1000 for the SLR cameras.”

To learn more about the various Canon cameras that are offered and what they are capable of, go to http://www.usa.canon.com/.

With You I Am Born Again

2010-10-07T21:16:00.000-07:00

The title of the blog was the title of a Grey's Anatomy episode recently. I just like it. It's stuck in my head. And when I'm thinking about my child about to have a birthday and how his life has changed mine-- well, it's fitting.

Nicholas is going to be three in a week! Three! It seems unreal. We're having his party on Sunday at my mother-in-law's house next door. We've invited some of his friends and such. I hope and think at least a few of them will come. Actually, I think Nic would be happy with it just being Craig, me, KK, Papa, Nana, Papaw, cake, presents, and the big fun jump. He's not that hard to please. He's the only child I know that gets excited over getting clothes. This is the first party we've really invited his friends. His first birthday there were a few kids there but they were family members and some of our friends' kids. He didn't really have friends. Last year, my mom was in treatment and couldn't be around many people so we just kept it close family. Now he is getting older, I start thinking about how I hope the other kids like him and their parents like us. I have a long road ahead of me.

He's so smart though. And funny. And he's very loving. I hope he stays as sweet and loving as he is. I was upset over something the other night (long story-- nothing big-- just very frustrating) and he came over and patted me saying "I make Mommy feel better." He likes to kiss you and love on you and snuggle. I realize at 16 he isn't going to want to snuggle with me, but for a little while longer I hope he stays that way.

I think this birthday will be fun b/c he likes opening presents now and gets excited about them. Last year he was kind of getting the hang of it but now he's in full swing.

*************** On to other things........

Saints shirts pre-orders went way better than expected. I was hoping for like 50 and got almost 200. We'll be selling them also at Duds for Doodlebugs. I hope for this to be at least a yearly thing. And it's been fun meeting some of the folks on the Mississippi Loves the Saints facebook page. The team is something to get excited about, and it's cool to share that with people that like it, too. And since it is a Mississippi thing a lot of the ones I've met are friends of friends or work somewhere I've been. It's kind of like sixth degrees of separation. And maybe the team isn't as good this year as last but it's early on. If you are a real fan, you stick by even when your team isn't winning the Superbowl.

I've began working with the Pink Ribbon Fund which is a local organization that helps breast cancer patients with their expenses and needs. It was kind of a last minute photography job that got me involved with them. But everything happens for a reason. I've met some great people and have a real passion for the cause now. I love doing non-profit stuff. Helping other people and animals is something I thrive on. I do not have the financial means to donate money. But I believe God gives you certain gifts and opportunities to use them in a good way if you'll take them. I've been given the gift of writing, getting the word out about things, photography, graphic design-- and that is what I can use to do good for the causes I believe in. I may also help the Southern Pines Animal Shelter with some of their PR stuff in the future if they need me, too. We are working with them for Duds for Doodlebugs so I recently met their new executive director and expressed my interest.

We recently lost one of our family members. Our outside kitty, Smoke (aka G. Smoke) had to be put to sleep b/c he was suffering from feline leukemia. It was a freak thing. The night before he's out on the porch eating dinner before I went to bed. The next morning, Craig found him behind the house lying down and unable to get up. We had absolutely no idea he had it. We took Smoke in where we lived before moving to New Augusta. He was this stray cat that we noticed something odd about. We figured out he was blind or almost blind. He was fixed so he had been someone's at one time, but he was homeless. So we started feeding him, and he warmed up to us. When we moved we brought him with us. He loved it here. He was safe and could walk around the property feeling safe. He never ventured far. He LOVED to eat, and he could eat a lot. He was kind of like a grumpy old man-- he would gripe at you if he was hungry or wanted some water in his bowl. But he could be really sweet, too. He would let the younger kittens that showed up here eat before he ate, but he'd knock the hell out of our older cat that would try to eat his food. I'm still sad about it. We love all our animals like people. Sure, we're closer to the inside cats b/c we share the house with them. But we love our outside ones, too. We've lost all three of the ones that came with us from the other house-- Smoke to leukemia; we think Josephine ate a poisoned rat; and then Sugar just died from a heart attack or something one afternoon. You just can't protect the outside ones like the inside ones. I know we did what was best for Smoke-- I still miss seeing him on the porch every morning though.

From one thing to another

2010-06-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

Once again I am posting random stuff b/c I am just not feeling too deep about one subject.....

Haley Barbour............I read where someone on facebook said he was "the best governor we've ever had." Not that I thought this person was intelligent to begin with, but now my thoughts are confirmed. Haley Barbour is all about Haley Barbour and his buddies. I imagine if that horrible British BP guy Tony Hayward came down here, Haley would pour him his best scotch and smoke his best cigar with him after taking him to his favorite all you can eat buffet. I want to throw something at the tv anytime either one of them are on it.

I've heard Eminem's cd is good. I love Eminem. One of my favorite rappers of all time along with Tupac, Jay Z, and Ludacris. I'd go to say that Eminem and Tupac have more of the same style of rapping (sort of like storytellers) while Ludacris and Jay Z are more along the lines of entertainment rappers. But Eminem hasn't had a great album since the one that had Slim Shady and What I Am, etc. I mean, Without Me and Superman were cool songs but not too great of an album.

When are people going to learn to keep their big mouths shut? General McChrystal. Don Imus. Joe Biden. John Edwards. I mean, I could go on and on. You can't be in certain positions and say what you really think. You gave up that freedom when you took the position.

Chesterfields is closing to make room for another CVS. They are supposed to just be relocating. The Bottling Co. is closed. And now Big Buck Sports is closing. Geez. Actually, Big Buck doesn't really surprise me too much b/c I've never understood how they stayed in business anyway.

Nic update! My baby boy is so smart. He can now count to 20 on his own. He knows all his ABCs, can tell you words that start with each letter, and knows some of his sounds for the letters. He is doing good on the potty training although it is a lengthy process. He loves helping me take clothes out of the dryer and put clothes from the washing machine into the dryer. He also helps me clean his room each night before it is time to get ready for bed. And he's back at playschool for the summer session which he loves. He was so excited to see his friends. Nic Nic is just a sweetheart. We can now open his bedroom door and our bedroom door-- so in the morning he comes and gets in the bed with us. This morning it was just me since Craig had to be at work at like 5:30 a.m. After we both woke up, he just layed in the bed snuggling and talking to me and playing. He loves to cuddle.

Well, that is it for tonight. Bedtime for me. I have a long day tomorrow and Nicholas has school :)

The Random List of Thoughts

2010-05-06T20:47:00.001-07:00

I'm too tired to get too deep in thoughts I have on things (which I seem to have a lot lately) so I'll just spout out a random list.

I have this huge craving to learn lately. And to take in things that make me think. Such as reading. True, I've been mainly reading fiction lately, but the fiction I choose to read usually has some depth to it. The book I just finished, Strange Fits of Passion, has really made me think in terms of does a forty year time period and the laws and social acceptance of certain things make some crimes excusable almost. In the early 70s, domestic abuse was not something people were so open about and it was not looked down upon the way it is now. There weren't the laws that are in place now. So even though something that now would be constituted as second degree murder (manslaughter at the lowest level probably)-- would it be self defense then? B/c in present day, there is no way as a juror I could vote that a woman acted in self-defense if she was not protecting herself from being attacked in that very moment. There are laws now that protect a battered woman, especially with proof of the battery. A man can be prosecuted for raping a woman that is his wife. It might possibly be a little harder to prove than if it was a stranger, but it is not unheard of. But forty years ago-- that is a whole different story. I guess there really is no answer, but it is interesting to think about and try to work out to myself.

Other than family, I just don't feel very close to anyone lately. I don't want to say that I don't have friends, because I do. But I really hate not feeling like there is anyone outside of my family that I can really confide in and trust. And there just isn't. It somewhat makes me feel like a recluse. Maybe that isn't the right word, but to some degree it is lonely. Overall, I'm not lonely. Craig and I are very close. Of course, Nic is on me like white on rice most of the time. And I'm close to the other members of my immediate family. Just no one on the outside really now.

I absolutely hate what has happened in the Gulf. The idea of animals being in oil or dying b/c they are ingesting it (or ingesting something that has ingested it) makes me sick to my stomach. It makes me really hate offshore drilling. The thing is that I'm kind of on the fence about it.

I know we need oil. So many things run off of oil. And we complain if we go out of country-- especially to the Middle East-- to get it. Then now we complain if we get it in the waters b/c stuff like this spill happens. The truth of it is, I hate how greedy we are. If all these people that uneccesarily drive these huge SUVs and gas gussling vehicles didn't-- that would make a difference. I understand some people-- especially those with more than two children-- need a bigger vehicle and that is cool. But why does a college girl need a Pathfinder or Xterra? Why does someone that is not hauling large things on a regular basis need a large, gas-eating truck? I know there are other ways where our oil consumption could be cut back but we are greedy.

I also know that there are a lot of people in South Mississippi that depend on the oil rig jobs to make a living. I know many women whose husbands work offshore. And they leave their families for a long period of time to do really hard, dangerous work to make a living. I totally respect them for that. I would not want to see those men/women lose their jobs. That would make our economy worse off than it already is.

Oil spills and explosions don't happen every day or every year or every five years for that matter. It's just when they do, it's horrible. There just have to be improvements and we need to quit wanting more and more when overall we don't need it. We just need to be more conservative with what we have.

The closer my baby boy gets to three, the more he doesn't listen. I understand he's a baby still, and I don't expect him to do everything I say. But when I've told him for like the third time not to do something and he ignores me-- it drives me up the wall. And the fits. And hollering b/c he isn't getting his way. Sometimes before I've even gotten it out of my mouth what I'm trying to tell him he is hollering "No!" God forbit I make him leave the pool. It's like I am making him walk the green mile just making him go inside our house. That drives me CRAZY. Honestly, he is very sweet and loving. And I know that it all has to do with his age. It still is aggravating.

People are just people in a perfect world.....

2010-03-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Neither children or animals discriminate against race, social status, or age when it comes to people. They just like who they like. It would be nice if we could all stay that way. No matter who you are and how open minded you think you are, at some point we all judge people whether you say it out loud or keep it to yourself. At least some of us are trying to change that instead of justifying why we judge...

That was my status today on Facebook. And I came to that thought after going to the pharmacy today with Nicholas.

We were in the small pharmacy and Nic crawled up in a chair beside this man while I was getting a script. It was an elderly black man that obviously didn't have much money-- or at least if he did he covered it up well. And Nic just started gabbering to him. In the car on the way home I thought about how my two year old never once thought about that the man was elderly or that he didn't have money or even that he was a different color. He just decided to sit by him and talk to him.

The more I thought about it, animals are the same way. My cats pick who they like. Sam is kind of an attention whore-- he just about likes anyone that will give him attention. But Oreo and Shelby are more picky. Usually they run from people they don't know. But every now and then one of them will come out and love on someone they just decide they like. It's just random. Oreo use to always love one of Craig's friends.....everytime he came over, Oreo would want to sit with him which is highly unusual. And Shelby loved my cousin. You acted like a totally different cat when she came over.

Animals will always be that way, but it made me sad that Nic will not always be that way. I like to think of myself as not a prejudice person-- not towards age, race, religious preference, social status, sexual orientation, etc. And compared to a lot of people-- especially here in Mississippi-- I'm not. Even educated, intelligent people I know will say really prejudice things that I hate to hear. But I'm not going to pretend that there are times when I look at certain people and judge them b/c of the wrong things. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't.

There is a difference between saying things like a majority of inmates in the Mississippi prison system are black or that some elderly people do not need to drive once they reach a certain point in their life. That is not being prejudice-- that is just a fact. But it doesn't mean that all black people will end up in prison or are destined for that. And not all elderly people are in a position where they shouldn't be driving.

I remember being a kid, and I never once remember my parents saying the "n" word in front of me. So until I called a kid that at school-- a white kid at that-- b/c I was mad and had heard someone else say it, I didn't know what that was. Not hearing the N word being a kid in Mississippi in the 80s from my folks was a big deal b/c it was just said by most people. I had black friends at school. They even came to my house some when my mom was coaching our basketball team. The only thing that was a big deal was that you didn't like black guys in a romantic way. I never did, and honestly, never have. How much of that is b/c that was taught to me and how much of that is b/c I'm just not attracted to most black men-- I don't know.

But here it is now-- 2o10-- and I have a cousin who is married to a black man; I have friends that are in interracial marriages/relationships. And it really doesn't bother me. Besides the fact that I'm married and plan on staying that way, I don't think I will personally ever be in a romantic relationship outside my race mainly b/c I'm just not attracted to black, Asian, Hispanic, or Indian men anymore than I am attracted to white, redneck cowboys.

However, I think I'd would be perfectly ok with Nicholas bringing home a girl of a different race. My concern would be the cultural differences more the skin color, and that isn't always an issue. Ten years ago, I wouldn't have felt that way mainly b/c of how I was raised and the way things were in the time I grew up. But I am trying to evolve into a more open-minded person.

I want to be an open-minded parent. I want my child to not see the world in black or white; poor or wealthy. I want him to respect older people and not think b/c someone is old that they are stupid or don't have feelings. We don't live in exclusive WASP world. I wish I could keep him innocent like he is now where people are just people.

The Realist

2010-02-27T22:22:00.000-08:00

Once again, I haven't written in a while b/c I just don't have time. I spend a lot of time on the computer but I'm a majority of it is work related. I am on Facebook a lot b/c, seriously, it is about the only social interaction I have other than family. I miss writing my blog b/c it's the only place I feel like I can vent other than just rambling on to my husband or family.

I changed my little profile box on FB tonight. Basically, it says I am a glass half empty type of person most of the time. Which is the truth. Don't get me wrong-- I like to hope for the best. For instance, one of our outside cats (actually, she's my mother-in-law's outside cat) named Cointreau (pronounced Quan-tra) has been missing about two weeks. I know there is a strong chance something has happened to her. But I like to hope that she's just off doing her own thing and will return when she wants to. Nic and I pray for her every night just like we do all the animals......and she's a cat, and cats just do that some time. So until I see a dead cat, I hope she will come home.

But on the same note, I'm a realist. I like to see things how they are. It drives me nuts on FB how some people always update their status to say how wonderful everything is and all food is yummy and how great their husband is all the time and their kids are great all the time, etc. B/c seriously, that's just not life. I think my kid is the most beautiful, sweetest, wonderful child in the world. But he can be a stinker. He has selective hearing; he likes to rub food all over our nice, wood table that I have to clean up; he can throw a fit for no reason; he cries over wanting juice when two seconds before I told him I would get it. He's two and he acts two. I am beyond blessed to have him, and he has changed my life in the most significant ways possible. But I'm not going to lie and act like he does no wrong and that sometimes he drives me nuts.

Same thing for my husband. I have been with him for over seven years, and I love him more than I can ever explain. He is sweet, thoughtful, compassionate, smart, sexy. He's an excellent father. But there are sometimes I want to ring his neck. And sometimes we don't get along. But if you get along with someone all the time and agree on everything, then you must not have a mind of your own. Real relationships aren't perfect.

I think I hurt my husband's feelings a while back when I told him I don't believe in soulmates. And I just don't. I use to. There was someone one time I believed was my soulmate. But if he was, then we'd be together now. And we aren't. And we never will be. B/c we are two totally different people now. We didn't stay together-- not matter how much we wanted to be together-- so therefore, we didn't grow together. And that is what lasting relationships are-- where you start together, grow together, and stay together no matter how crappy things may get at times. That fantasy romance you have in your head when you are a kid or teenager just isn't real. Some people even have it in their heads when they get older. I think that is why there are some people that jump from one serious relationship/marriage to another.

To have a real, lasting relationship with someone, you have to know them. And I mean, really know them. And you have to realize that they have faults and which ones you are ok with and which ones you aren't. And you have to stay true to who you are. B/c if you just become who they want you to be, then they don't really love you. You can't just run off with someone and expect it to work b/c you have these overwhelming feelings for someone and want it to work.

We all change a little bit for someone we are with for the long run. For instance, I've had to become more domestic for my family. I use to have never would have a meal cooked when Craig came home from work and wanted to spend time cleaning the house. But I made the choice to be better at that b/c it was an area I needed to do better at. For Craig, for Nic, and for me. But it didn't change who I was. It just made me better all around. Or at least, that is how I feel. But I'm not going to become Suzy Homemaker b/c that is just not who I am. And that would be wrong.

I like blunt people. I like people that let you know what level they are on and where they stand w/out having to guess. Nic and I went to a party this afternoon which turned out great. He had such a fun time playing with the other kids that are close to his age. I had fun watching him and hanging out with the adults. One thing I like about the girl that invited me is how blunt she is. She's not mean with it-- she's just straight forward. You don't have to wonder with her. Same way with another friend of mine who is also somewhat of a business partner. She's to the point. She tells me straight forward what she's thinking. No bullshit. There is no trying to passify me so my feelings aren't hurt or so on. I like that. I don't want anyone to suck up to me or say one thing and think another. If there was less of that in the world, I think it'd be a better place where more is accomplished.

Now I'm going to bed. I want to snuggle with my Nic Nic. Yes, he sleeps in the bed with us everynight. And honestly, I like it to some degree. I love feeling his little feet on me. I do miss sleeping next to my husband at night but one day sooner than I know, Nic will be doing his own thing and Craig and I will go to bed just like we did before he was here. As Trace Adkins says (which I can't listen to w/out tearing up) "you're gonna miss this..."

Back on the soapbox

2009-11-28T19:43:00.000-08:00

With Craig working as much as he has done the last three days, I am starting to feel like a single parent. Seriously, I am really not complaining. We have wanted him to find a good job like he's gotten for such a looooooooooong time. He is doing something he really enjoys. The job has benefits and plus it will give him experience in management if he does want to move away from the company. The money isn't bad. So no real complaints but it is just an adjustment. And the last three days he's just had bad shifts. Not to mention things have been slow for me b/c of the holiday week and Nic was out of school. It's just all a little strange and an adjustment.

I've tried to write a blog the past two nights when Nic and Craig have been asleep. My brain just hasn't been in writing mode. I usually have to be on a soapbox to write and haven't had much to say........at least anything that would be interesting to hear. When you have a kid-- at least for me-- that is all I want to talk about sometimes. B/c in my eyes, everything my kid does is funny, awesome, interesting, etc. I know most people don't want to hear every detail. Especially if you have no kids. Lets face it-- unless you have one, babies and kids aren't that exciting unless you are just one of those people that really likes babies and kids (like I was.)

I do have a couple of "political sort of" issues that have been on my mind. First of all, Boss Hog-- I mean, Governor Haley Barbour-- is wanting to make cuts in education to help the budget. ** SIGH ** I mean, really, lets cut funding for what makes our world, nation, state move forward. YOU DON'T CUT EDUCATION! Think of all the things education generally has an effect on......crime for one. I don't have any stats, but a majority of your crimes are committed by uneducated people. Or people who are in poverty b/c they can't make any money b/c they don't have an education or equal job training. Not to mention that self-worth having an education gives someone. Now granted, I have an education and sometimes still feel like crap but I think everyone does at some point. I have a strong suspicion that parents that have an education a majority of times will also have children that get an education. It's all just one big cycle. Our world and especially the United States has evolved and become more advanced in things like technology because people are more educated. Why, why, why would you want to take that away? It's this kind of mentality that makes Mississippi last on all the good lists.

He talks about cutting away at the jr. college level which is a huge mistake. Junior colleges are the most affordable and the biggest growing place to start an education. And the satellite campuses they have now are good b/c for some people, it is very difficult to drive to the main campus of the school. Think of the single or even just working parents that are trying to further their education to support their families better.....they may not can drive to Ellisville to JCJC from Bay Springs every evening or to Poplarville from somewhere on the Coast. But they are trying to do more and do better and are given the opportunity to do so. And Barbour just wants to wipe that out.

Why not cut his salary a little bit or Phil Bryant's or the MS legislature? I'm sure there are other places in the budget that can be cut back or done away with. But not education. Do NOT cut education.

The other thing that is so stupid is now saying that how early and how often mammograms are done should be cut back. That is basically like saying all this effort that is put forth to recognize breast cancer awareness gets a slap in the face. If more effort was put into preventive healthcare, it would be so much better for everyone. Who comes up with this stuff? There will be so many more women who will die from breast cancer b/c they will not be covered by insurance to have a mammogram. It's bad enough that some people don't even have insurance at all but now the ones that do have it will be hurt.

I'll get off my soapbox b/c I have to put Nicholas to bed but I'll end with this.........if Canada wasn't so damn cold, I might pack my bags.

In and out of the box

2009-08-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

I feel like I am a little kid again or back in high school.........b/c I am just stuck in a place where I feel like I don't fit in with anyone. Even the person I'm closest to (outside of family)...I feel like we look at things through two different sets of glasses. It's like personally I feel more comfortable usually with people that are not as uptight as me or really liberal, non-judgemental, come as they are people. But at the same time, my beliefs as far as my child and parenting and they way I want my life to go is more like the people I don't hang out with......people I think would look down on me b/c I'm more liberal and I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm just stuck in the middle. That is all I've always felt. Like I fit into one certain area but I feel more comfortable in another.

And tonight-- today-- it just bothers me. I feel like I don't have anyone to really hang out with other than family. I wish Craig and I had friends that were couples. We are just the oddballs I guess. At least that is how I feel.

I really try not to categorize myself as anything except a person. I try not to be judgemental and understand that everyone thinks differently and how we have grown up and lived affects a lot of the decisions we make. But sometimes that is really hard. It is hard not to categorize people sometimes.......to not see people as just people but put them in little boxes by what they like, what they do, the way they handle their children, etc.

And I have always been paranoid about that......for instance, I take Nicholas to school where there are all these nice mothers who obviously love their children. Nicholas has not once been sick from being at school b/c these mothers mother like I do-- if their kid is sick, they keep them home and take care of them and don't send them back till they are completely well. All the kids are super clean and dressed nicely and are taken care of. I so don't want them to know that I live in a mobile home and sometimes we go from pay check to pay check. A lot of times my parents pay for Nicholas's preschool mainly because they want to but also to help us out. But I so dont' want all these mothers to know these things b/c I don't want them to think we aren't as good as them. Or think that they wouldn't want their kid to come home and play with Nic (although he's a little young for that.) I know that is silly. I know being a mother is a top priority to me and if I don't do anything else, my child is taken care of. The same way with Craig. And my husband and I both have college degrees and are more up to date on news and current events than most people and work hard. We just can't seem to get ahead sometimes. I just don't want to be thought of negatively.

I know who I am. I actually can mix in with just about any group-- at least cordially. I know I am no former sorority chick (b/c I chose not to be.) I know I'm not some prim and proper lady who doesn't drop a cuss word sometimes or dresses all cute to stay at home all day. At the same time, I think Nascar is the stupidest thing ever, pretty much dont' like most country music, never turn on Lifetime, and refuse to have a deer head hanging in my house. I'm not going to scream at my kid all day but I will punish him when he does something wrong. I hate spanking but will do it at the right occasion with my hand. I like to drink but not to the point of being drunk (my days of that are over.) And I don't drink fruity girl drinks when I drink. I think cigarettes are one of the most horrible things for you and make you look trashy. If I do smoke a cigarette like once in six or nine months, I will never let my kid see me do it. I feel ignorant when I don't know what is going on in the news both nationally, wordly, and locally.

I love my husband. We have an equal relationship. I don't expect him to make all the money or the most money b/c he's a man the same way that I don't expect me to be the only one that changes diapers or cleans up the house. We have our differences and haven't always gotten along great but for the most part we have a good, strong relationship. We've been together a long time, and we've grown and matured together. Marriage is a very serious thing to me. My parents have been married 34 years, never once separating. And they haven't had this fairy tale marriage.......they've had a real marriage where sometimes you are totally in love with your spouse but sometimes you totally don't like the things they do. I'm not saying that everyone that gets married should stay married for the sake of staying married. But I don't think it is something you just throw away like so many people do.

I am a control freak......not in an OCD type of way, but in that I don't like feeling like I can't escape a situation. I don't like rollercoasters, concerts, canoeing, bad weather, or anything else that makes me feel like I'm out of control. I like feeling safe. I don't do things generally on impulse. At the same time, I don't mind speaking my opinion when I feel like I have something worth saying. I will put myself out there in that kind of way.

My point is that I'm not easy to categorize but I always fear that people will take one thing out of that and put me into a box. I know they do it, because even trying not to do it, I do at times. And somehow I just don't fit anywhere. And that can be really lonely. I don't want to be the person that does that to people what I don't want done to me. But it's almost like you can't overcome it.

Lets support protecting the innocent...

2009-07-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is an article I wrote on June 18 that I was not allowed to publish at the newspaper I work for. I have emailed it to other newspapers as a "Letter to the Editor" but they have also not published it. This is something that is very important to me because I love animals and pets. I hope posting it in this blog will inform people to the bill and help to get the word out so that more people can support it. Please pass this on to those who you know are animal lovers!

On Wednesday, June 17, animal welfare advocates protested in front of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation's Jackson headquarters due to the organization stepping in and blocking a bill that would make torturing cats and dogs a felony. The bill was almost guaranteed to pass until Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation's President, David Waide, voiced opposition to the bill. Waide claims the bill would lead to restrictions involving swine and poultry. Mississippi is only one of four states that does not have a felony animal cruelty law.

As someone that is a pet owner, I am appalled that there is not a bill like this already on the books. In my house, our pets are members of our family. They spend time with my family. They bring comfort when someone feels badly. Ultimately, they are helping my twenty-month-old son to learn how to be gentle and caring. The idea of someone torturing one of them by burning, beating, poisoning, or mutilating them makes me sick to my stomach. What makes me even more upset is knowing that if someone did that, that person would be given a slap on the wrist.

Animal cruelty has been linked to domestic violence. According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), seventy-one percent of domestic violence victims report that their abuser also targeted their animal. The HSUS also estimates that approximately one million animals are killed or abused each year in conjunction with domestic violence.
It is also common knowledge that many serial killers and criminals have a history of animal abuse. The HSUS states that in the nine school shootings that occurred in the United States from 1996 to 1999, half of the shooters had a history of animal cruelty. In the largest survey to date of serial killers, the HSUS reports that thirty-six percent admitted to cruelty to animals as children and adults while forty-six percent admitted to animal cruelty as adolescents. A Massachusetts study reported by the HSUS found that out of 153 animal abusers, thirty-eight percent were convicted of violent crimes within ten years.

The trend is that those that abuse animals will also be violent towards people. If laws were tougher on the abuse towards an animal, it would possibly prevent someone from going further in creating violence towards a person. If anything, it would be on the person's record as an indicator of what the person was capable of doing.

A case that has been in the news recently is the teenager in Miami that is being accused of mutilating, torturing, and killing nineteen cats. These were people's pets, members of their families. One of the cats, a black and white cat named Tommy, was skinned and missing part of his legs. He was left on the front lawn of the owner's house. Tommy was a six year old girl's pet. Some of the other cats that were killed in Miami were posed when they were found. In Florida, the animal cruelty laws state that animal cruelty is a felony and can lead up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

In Mississippi, the maximum fine is $1,000 and six months in jail. It is only a misdemeanor.
What is so wrong about Farm Bureau opposing this bill is that the bill specifically states that agriculture practices would not be affected. According to the bill, “Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the following legal activities conducted in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi: (a) Veterinary medicine; (b) Hunting, trapping or fishing; (c) Animal research; (d) Pest control; and (e) Agricultural practices.” The law only pertains to dogs and cats.

Recently, I have considered switching my car insurance back to Farm Bureau from the agency I have been using. After their involvement in the having this bill die in the Senate, I will not even consider using them as for any form of insurance. I encourage you to do the same if you are someone that loves animals, and you do not want people that harm cats and dogs to go unpunished.

I also encourage animal lovers to write to both the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and our Mississippi senators to let them know how you feel. I plan on sending them both a copy of this opinionated piece once it goes to print.

To contact the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, the address is P.O. Box 1972, Jackson, MS, 39215-1972. To contact them by telephone, call (800) 227-8244.

To contact the Mississippi senator in your area, go to www.mississippi.gov. Under “Contact Us,” it will give you the option to choose your state senator to retrieve contact information.
Mississippi does not have to be on the bottom when it comes to protecting our beloved pets. It is our responsibility to let the decision makers and those that have an influence know that those that hurt or kill dogs and cats should be punished more than just going to a “time out.”

A bottle of Tequila Rose

2009-06-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

It is strange how some random object can remind you of something in your life out of nowhere. The honor of that object goes to a bottle of Tequila Rose that I saw in a liquor store today. I have not seen Tequila Rose in a very, very long time. Actually, I don't ever remember seeing it other than the one time I've had it.

If you aren't familiar, Tequila Rose is a shot that has tequila in it but also this strawberry stuff. So it tastes like really strong strawberry liquor. It's actually not too terribly bad from what I remember but not something fabulous either.

When I was in college, three of my girlfriends and I went to the Grand Casino for my 22nd birthday. One was my roommate who I am not friends with at all anymore, one was my cousin, and the other was a girl that my roommate and I were both friends with. The not-roommate bought me a bottle of Tequila Rose for my birthday for us to shoot before going to the casino. I had never had it or heard of it before then.

What is strange is I really don't remember much about that night other than what I had on, the color my hair was (b/c if you know me, you know it changes periodically), that we went to the casino, and that shot bottle. I think we may have danced at a club in the casino. I know I wasn't ridiculously drunk or anything but the night just wasn't that important. But I had fun. I do remember that.

Sometimes I do miss those times. You know, being young and not having much responsibility. Planning where you were going to go out that night and who was going to be there. Taking shots just because it was fun and not really being concerned that you'd feel like crap the next day. Sometimes I miss the Hot Damn! and Goldslager days.

Here I am tonight, almost 30 years old. The baby is at my parent's house for the night. Craig is here with me. And are we getting dressed up and going out? No. We're just hanging out around the house and talking about watching some tv or a movie together later. My biggest thing I've done is rode my bike. And I want to put up clothes I've washed and clean up some while Nic is gone.

Seriously, when did I get so boring?

Yeah, it'd be nice to go out tonight. But I'm not upset that Craig wanted to stay home. If I was at the Bottling Co. or Hunt Club or wherever people go out now, it'd be 11:00 and we'd be ready to go home. And who would we go with? Most of our friends either don't live here or are like us and have kids. And the ones that don't are generally 1) not into us now b/c we are so domestic 2) crazy-- like don't want to hang out with them b/c you never know what they'll do kind of crazy (and I hate drama.)

I don't feel bad for how I am now. In fact, I like not waking up with a hangover headache. And time at home to myself and just with Craig is few and far between these days. But there are sometimes I wish I was a little more exciting in a good way. Just a little bit.

Things I Love

2009-05-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

So I don't sound so cynical and dark, I have decided to post some of the things I love. This blog is suppose to be about writing, so this will be one of the only lists I ever do:

Cats.........I just love cats. I love their personalities. They are so less needy than dogs which is appealing. They don't seek out for constant approval. If they seek out, it is genuine. And they are really independent and private which is totally how I am.
Wine.........I like tasting different wines from different regions the same way other people like to smoke cigars. It's not a drunk thing-- it's a cultural experience.
Beer.........no, not an alcoholic. See above. Just like wine, beer tastes differently depending on how it is brewed, color, etc.
Farm animals.........that sounds weird but I do really like farm animals. Seeing cows grazing in a pasture makes me happy. Seeing baby goats makes me happy.
Shampoos/Conditioners..........I really love trying new ones. If I was rich, I'd have like a closet full of different hair washing products.
Soft t-shirts..........do I really have to explain this one?
Babies/Toddlers.............not all people really do like babies and toddlers. I've always been a baby person but since having my own I really love to watch them.
A really good book..............generally, I prefer non-fiction, usually about crime. But there are some really good fiction ones.
Going to museums............I use to hate this when I was a kid but it is something I really enjoy now. I guess I enjoy history more now.
Eating out..........I grew up eating out a lot so it's just a fun thing to me. It's fun getting to pick what you are going to eat.
Dancing..........I miss going dancing. I dance with Nicholas but it's not the same. He just wants to jump up and down and not really dance.
Karaoke..........I love to sing. Especially with my girl, Amy.
Tomatoes.............I've always loved them. Raw, cooked, any way.
Old photos............guess it kind of goes with being a photographer but I love looking at old photos. I also like restoring them.
New projects..................I get so excited about having a new project whether it be work related or personal.
Sleeping while it is raining..............I think everyone actually likes this
Cold side of the pillow................it just feels good
Talking about local news with my folks..............brings back memories of being a kid.
Taking Nicholas to do something fun.............whether it is going out to the kiddie pool, letting him finger or watercolor paint, taking him to the zoo, etc. I just love taking him to do something I know he is going to love.
Massages..............no explanation
Sweet Tea..............I guess it is a Southern thing.
Really, really cold Coke in the morning............some people like coffee, but there is nothing like that really cold Coke going down your throat in the morning
Grey's Anatomy..............awesome, awesome show.
LOST.................always keeps me guessing. Makes me think. You gotta love a show that makes you think.
JCJC................that school is just a great school. I have so many good memories from there and they just seem to go the extra mile for their students.
Riding my bike.............it makes me feel free. Like lifting the world off my shoulders. One of the best presents I've ever gotten.
My locket.................Craig and Nic got me a silver locket for Mother's Day with Nic's photo in it. It's beautiful and sentimental
VH1 Reality Shows...............yeah, they are silly and trashy. But they are fun.
Facebook...........I seriously would not have much adult conversation in the day w/out Facebook. It's nice to see how and what everyone is doing
Stuffed animals.............They are just comforting. And Nicholas loves them now, too, which is fun.
Reading the newspaper everyday..................I like to have it in front of me so I can feel it and flip the pages.
Chips and Salsa...................so good.
Vacation.............I love seeing stuff I'm not use to seeing. Just don't get to do it enough
New carpet smell.............I've always liked it.
J.K. Simmons............he was Vern on Oz and Juno's dad in the movie Juno. Awesome actor.
Steve Carrell......how can you not love him?
Headline News.........................I use to hate when my dad would watch it all the time and now I do the same thing.
Cookie Monster.............I watch a lot of Sesame Street lately and he is the best.
Dazed and Confused..............just a great movie.
Office Space.................another great movie. So fitting if you've ever worked in an office like that.
Everybody Loves Raymond...............actually somewhat realistic to how marriage and family are.
Main Street UMC Preschool..............they do such a great job and Nic loves going there. They really do love the children.
Sundresses................comfortable, cool, and cute

Ok, I'm sleepy now but may post more loves later down the line :)

Why the unlikely...

2009-05-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Unlikely.

I chose that name for my blog b/c it is my way of thinking. I've always been a believer that you put your hopes in nothing and then when something good happens it is a pleasant surprise and not a let down if it doesn't happen. I guess I think with the whole "glass is half empty" philosophy.

I'm very cynical. I'm not all rainbows and puppies.

My favorite color is black........partially b/c it is my favorite color to wear but it also has a lot to do with it feels like a more reserved, keep-to-itself kind of color unlike red or orange or yellow.

I, for the most part, hate chick flicks. I hate those movies that are suppose to make you feel all warm and gooey. That is not reality. I want something realistic. Real life isn't always pretty. Or logial. Or has a happy ending. If life was all happy endings, no one would die of cancer and suffer. Those people that always has a hard life would have a happy life after a while. Nobody would be depressed or suicidal or have mental illness. Things would work out "how they were suppose to be."

I think the time in my life when I realized that life doesn't work out like it is always suppose to was when I was a freshman in college. I remember being at work arranging photo frames at Ritz Camera and it just hit me.........."just b/c you think it should work out a way doesn't mean it will. There are no promises of it all being ok." Sitting in the middle of a camera shop, I came to that conclusion. Here I was getting out of being clinically depressed and still battling with anorexia.....nothing seemed fair. I realized b/c nothing is fair. There wasn't a magical pill or treatment that was going to make me quit starving myself or feel better about myself. A doctor couldn't fix me. He could give me antibiotics when I was sick, but he couldn't make my mind better so I wouldn't struggle with whether it was ok for me to eat a biscuit. Things don't go away just b/c you want them to........especially thoughts and how you condition yourself to be.

I think my "unlikely" way of thinking popped up a few years before I was 18 years old sitting in the camera store. I think it was part of the reason I got myself in such a bad way........I thought it was unlikely the guys I liked would like me back. It was unlikely I was good at the things I wanted to be good at. It was unlikely people really liked me for me. It was unlikely I was attractive. You get the idea. I didnt' have the best of self-esteems.

Not that the unlikely way of thinking doesn't hurt me now. I mean, I think to some degree it is a positive way of thinking b/c I am realistic and don't live in a false world that everything will work out the way I think it should. I know not everyone that contacts me about doing photos will actually end of paying me to do photos for instance. But it most definetely has its downside. Totally can be bad. Is bad a lot.

So, this is just my way of preparing anyone that reads this about my way of thinking and to not expect a sunshiny blog. Dont' get me wrong-- I have a lot of great things in my life and I really love and enjoy a lot of things. I love my family. My kid is the most wonderful person in the world hands down. I love animals, especially cats. I really enjoy creativity and deep discussions and reading. I love traveling. I love having time alone with my husband to ride bikes or a night out or whatever.

But I am a very logical, opinonated person who doesn't give out positive energy all the time. Anyone that expects that from me doesn't know me very well.