Wordless Wednesday~ The Cheesiest!

For more Wordless Wednesday go HERE and HERE!

I suppose I might as well say it....or I'll never get any sleep

Okay....so the last thing I thought I'd be doing on this busy Monday evening is writing this post, but I simply can not think of other things until I do this thang. It is driving me totally insane, and I just want a good nights sleep.

Some of you lovely individuals might be aware of a fun little awards show sponsored by Nickelodeon, called "the kids choice awards." It has been around since the late eighties. Traditionally it is full of fun, super stars and lots of slime. I'm not certain what age group this particular show is aimed at, but I know that they were advertising it this year on the Nick, Nick Jr, AND NOGGIN (pre-school age shows) channels. Sugar Bear saw MANY advertisements for this event, as did I. I have rarely given the Kids Choice Awards a second glance, but this year something caught my eye during one of their promotions.

First....there seemed to be some little thing about Nickelodeon continuing to honor CHRIS BROWN by allowing him to remain a nominee. Seriously....they want to honor a man who has been charged with domestic violence? Seriously? Luckily...I have found that I'm not the only one that found that a bit appalling. However, it took Chris to withdraw himself, to end that drama.

Then, as we sat unawares watching Pinky Dinky Doo.... the Sugar and I were treated to the news that we could just tune into the awards to see some great performers. Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers....and of course......the Pussycat Dolls. Ummmmm......WHO? We can't be talking about THESE Pussycat Dolls...



ummmmm I guess so.

I have to say, that I specifically tuned in to the awards show to see if they were really going to have mostly naked woman gyrating on stage for a bunch of children. Sadly.......they did. Seriously....they did. If you haven't seen it....please check it out, and see what Nickelodeon thinks is appropriate for children. If there is any doubt that it is raunchy....take the fact that I couldn't pull up this video at work due to a security check that labeled it PORNOGRAPHY!

See Video HERE!

Ummmm...let's look at some lyrics...shall we?

"I got (I got) shivers (shivers),
When you touch my face,
I'll make you hot,
Give all you got,
I'll make you wanna say (Jai Ho,,Jai Ho)

I got (I got) fever (fever),
Running like a fire,
For you I will go all the way,
I wanna take you higher (Jai Ho)

I keep it steady uh-steady,
That's how I do it (Jai Ho)
This beat is heavy, so heavy,
You gonna feel it. "

and

"I see them staring at me
Ooh I'm a trendsetter
Yes this is true cuz what I do
No one can do it better

You can talk about me
Cuz I'm a hot topic
I see you watching me watching me
And I know you want it, oh"

Pair those words with extremely sexy clothes, risque dancing (including boob grabbing), and I'm pretty sure what the message was.



Okay...so let me say, "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?"

The really sad thing is.....while searching for conversations about this totally inappropriate performance, I read many folks defending it. Their defense????? "this is the REAL world....and your kids have to learn about it sometime!!!!" and "The pussycat dolls really toned it down....it wasn't so bad!" and "The pussycat dolls aren't the only ones with suggestive lyrics!"

SERIOUSLY??????

Are people honestly thinking that we have to just sit back and allow this hypersexualization of our young children because 'that is just the way it is!'????? We have to accept that children are getting exposed to sex earlier and earlier, as just the way of life. Do we just need to relax, and let the media turn our pre-schoolers into miniature pussycat dolls, because EVERYONE is doing it?

Nickelodeon is saying, "the kids chose them!" not us. Ummm....yeah, if the kids asked you to murder someone on the show would you do that? If they wanted you to jump of a cliff would you do that, Nickelodeon? Isn't it time someone is the adult here, and makes only appropriate choices available?

I am so completely enraged by this mess. I have ranted about this before, with the whole Dora thing. I know I might sound like a broken record here, but it is on my mind A LOT lately. I worry so much about the messages Sugar Bear is receiving, and it isn't as easy as just not letting her watch these shows. The children she is in contact with at daycare, and preschool may be watching these things. The children of my child's generation are being tainted with this stuff, and it WILL affect my daughter no matter how much I shield her. Just the other day, a 5 year said this to Sugar Bear. "When I'm 16, I'm going to marry a HOT GUY!" She literally, put her hand on her hip (wearing low rise jeans and a belly shirt), and tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder while saying it. I was there....I saw it..... later Sugar asked me what a 'hot guy' is. Seriously? I have to try to define a "hot guy" to my four year old?????? sigh.....

I'm sorry if this post makes no sense, and rambles all over the place, but I just had to get this stuff out of my head. I hardly have an organized thought about it. It is just all swirling around up there making me crazy.

I ♥ Faces~ Pout

Since I used my best all time EVER Pout shot, earlier in the I ♥ Faces fun, I had to search my files for something to fit the theme this week.  I was surprised to find a great shot of my Niece S, from last August.  I wasn't surprised to find it actually....just surprised I had forgotten about it, cause it kills me.  She is a pro pouter, don't you think?  I'm not sure she could get that lip any further out if she tried.

You simply HAVE TO head on over to I ♥ Faces this week to see all the pouting. I'm pretty sure Santa will be appalled.

Saturday Q-shot~ The Color of my eyes

One of my newest blogging buddies, Spoiled Mommy, is hosting a new meme.  Every Saturday she will be asking a question that one must answer with a photo.  This week her question was simple, yet we all seemed to want to answer it pretty literally.  

What Color are your EYES?

This question is very near and dear to my heart, because since Sugar Bear's birth is it the one thing for sure I can claim she got from me.  We both have blue eyes.  Sadly, she also got my bushy eyebrows, and non-existent eyelashes. Despite that.....she is stunning, and I love her eye color.

Here is a close up of Sugar's delightfully youthful eye:

And here is my woefully old looking eye:

Depending on what we are wearing and what the surroundings are, the color changes a bit.  I love to see the reflections in these to show that sometimes you see a whole lot more than the true color when looking into someones eyes.  

Here I see the white of my sweatshirt, the green of the grass, the blue and yellow of her step stool, and the brown picnic table.

Photo Hunters~ Hands

Yesterday, while Sugar Bear wheeled around the yard in her little jeep, I busied myself cleaning out the front flowerbed.  After pulling a large weed, I noticed a lovely little earth worm.  Quickly, I snatched it up, and called for Sugar Bear (okay...so I 'might' have ran for my camera first).   She was clearly delighted with my discovery.

She could hardly wait to get that little worm in her HANDS.    This was only the second time she has held a worm, and she was quite intrigued.

Within minutes she had grown quite fond of the little thing, and had dubbed it "WORMY!"  I for one loved seeing her little HANDS cupping to keep her friend safey nestled.

After a short while, she loosened up, and started to allow it to stretch itself outward in curiosity.  Sugar enjoyed seeing it move from one HAND to the next.

Her own curiosity was apparent, and it is something I truly delight in.

Soon, Sugar Bear declared it time to take Wormy on a ride in her Jeep.  She was certain He (?????) would like it.

Daisy Dog was VERY curious as well.  I'm not certain our 3 year old pup had ever seen a worm, and she was pretty insistent on getting a good sniff in.

Sugar was worried that Daisy was trying to eat Wormy, so poor little Daisy got the 'shove-off'.

She quickly let Wormy squirm out of her safe HANDS....

And onto his seat. 

Don't worry, Wormy!  She may not look like a good driver, but I'm quite positive you are in safe HANDS!

I mean look at this face......

Thanks for coming by my blog this weekend.  I look forward to seeing all the busy HANDS this go around.  Happy Weekend!

Photostory Friday~ The Curse of the Daffodil

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

One of my very favorite flowers in the world is the daffodil. I have such fond memories of them that stems back to the wee age of 6. My family's Century Farm sits in a valley that was once filled with daffodil fields. This was LONG before I was set upon this earth, and yet if I close my eyes I can picture it. As I'd sit at the kitchen table eating an after school snack, both my grandmother and great grandmother, would tell me the stories of long days picking the daffodils during harvest time. In fact, I have one of my great grandma's old journals, where she logged many days of daffodil harvesting. 

While the fields of the valley are no longer ripe with rows and rows and rows of the happy little miniature suns, every spring there are small reminders of that era. Tucked under trees, along streams, or randomly sprouting from the short grass of a green field where sheep now graze, you can see tufts of these beautiful flowers, and one can't help but smile. 

 

For the past few years, I have looked forward to the daffodil blooming season, in hopes to have the opportunity to capture this sentimental flower in a unique and stunning sort of way. However, it is yet to happen. I rarely get a chance to even aim my camera in their direction. It is incredibly frustrating. The MAIN reason I have failed is RAIN! It seems to always be raining when I'm near them. The photo I post here was taken from my vehicle along a fairly busy street shortly after picking up Sugar Bear from daycare.  I refuse to leave the vehicle with her in it to get a shot, and getting her in and out, and keeping her safe on a busy street is not a fun option.  The fields of which I spoke of are over an hour away, and while I'll be up there next weekend, I am fairly certain the prime blooming time will be over, and/or it will be pouring down rain.  

I'm not sure what the perfect opportunity hasn't presented itself, but I rest assured that one day....it will happen, and when it does, my grandmothers will be smiling down on me. 

It grows in grass and field and bower
The cheerful yellow flower
The daffodil.

The daffodil
Comes after snow
At end of winter’s drear
And spread its yellow cheer.

The blooms of summer coming
Is still a far-off thought
When springs
The daffodil

The daffodil
Is seldom single
Its happiness most strong
When growing in a throng.

My life grows full and intertwined
When all around I find
Friendship like
The daffodil’s.

~Neil of Madrid

I think he loves me because I can procrastinate like no other!

Yeah, back in January, I posted my 500th post, and asked my readers to inundate me with questions.  A few of you, took me up on that, and have been so patient in waiting for the answers (As long as you don't count that one death threat, and the burning pile of dog poo I found in the porch the other day.)  I did managed to cover some of the random questions HERE, a version of my perfect day HERE, and got a bit wordy HERE about the photography queries.  

So BACK OFF!

As much as I'd like to continue to procrastinate doing the tougher questions, I simply can not deny that I actually have the time today to tackle all the questions about The Hubby today.  It is Spring Break, The Sugar is at preschool today, The Hubby is working, and it isn't late at night, and my brain is actually functioning.  Sounds like a perfect combination to knock this puppy out.  So here goes.....

In an effort to not have to rehash the whole story, if you haven't been along for this whole "Living and Loving" ride, please head over here and read a bit about the foundation. Due to his desire for privacy, I rarely write about him.  I did, however, give in and open a bit up about him here.  Please check those two posts out before moving on.  I'll wait.  In fact, I'll take this time to go eat a cinnamon roll.  It is lonely, and has been calling me name.  I'm just gonna eat it to shut it up.  K?

Okay...so I take it we're all back, and completely up on the saga of my life.  I'll wipe the frosting off my fingers, and get to it.

I know, I briefly mentioned that The Hubby and I have been together since the beginning of time High School, but Aspiemom wondered where I met him.  I wish I remember the very first time we saw each other, but I hardly remember what I had for lunch yesterday, so it is a little much to expect from my feeble mind.  I do know, that I am a third generation graduate of my High School, and I started attending that School District my 2nd grade year.  The Hubby, however, moved to my hometown sometime during his Junior Year, which was my Freshman Year.  While I don't recall the exact day I met him, I do have some early memories of him.  He remembers seeing me on the school bus, and I remember drooling over his lifted, red and white 1979 Ford pick-up.  It really stood out in our small town.  No one else had anything like it.  Remember, that he already worked for his dad in Commercial Fishing, so he had more money than the rest of us lazy teenagers.

The Hubby and my brother were in the same class, and became friends.  It wasn't until the following year, that we started spending time together.  Soon we were dating.  It was my first real relationship.  In fact, by the fall of my Junior Year, I was completely and utterly FREAKED out to be so serious.  Doing what any crazy teenage girl would do.  I broke up with him.  It was awful, and broke both our hearts.  For nearly a year, we remained apart, and unhappy.  The Summer of my Senior Year, we got back together....and the rest....is history.  We dated for 5 years, then got married, after I finished College.  We will celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary this July.  Man.....time flies.

That brings us to present day.  Jo Beaufoix asked me if The Hubby ever poses for photos for me.  The answer is a pretty big NO.  As you read in that second post I linked to about hubby (what you didn't read it????? SHAME ON YOU!), the only time he easily allows me to take photos is when he with with a dead animal.  I'm sorry to say, I can't stomach it, and do not try to take a nice portrait.  I just simply point and shoot.  All the other photos I have of him, are ones I snuck when he wasn't paying attention.  The other day, I realized that there is not a single photo of us together since 1996.  I was shocked...but not surprised.  Upon further contemplation I remembered that there are a few of us together at my brother's wedding, in 2004.  It is a bit sad, and something I need to remedy.  I mentioned it to him, and he may allow some shots of us one of these days.  He is just so self-conscience, and doesn't value the documentation of his life.   However, for my dear Sugar Bear, I must find a way to get her parents in the same photo.  It is my newest mission.  

Both Autumn and Gayle wanted to hear a bit more about The Hubby and Sugar Bear's relationship, and how I feel about it. You see, I have 100% responsibility of Sugar Bear, and while it is strange to MANY, it works for us.  In fact, I works really well for me.  I'm a bit of a control freak......yup.....I am, and particularly about parenting decisions.  I rather like that I have 100% say on how Sugar Bear is raised, and I like to think it makes it easier on Sugar Bear, as she has very consistent parenting.  So many parents struggle to agree on some many parenting decisions, and I am POSITIVE that The Hubby and I would be arguing  A LOT about all the details, because we are very different people.  Instead, all things are diverted to me, and since my connection with Sugar is so deep, I don't mind one bit.  From day one it has been all me.  The best way to describe it is to think of a single parent.  That is me.  If it has to do with the care of Sugar, it is my job.  Specifically, Autumn wondered if The Hubby had ever watch Sugar Bear alone.  A combination of respecting their comfort levels, and my annoying control issues, it happens very rarely.  Usually for no more than 45 minutes.  I will run to the store, or something if she is sleeping.  If she wakes up, they do fine while I'm gone, but neither feel real comfortable.  As she gets older this happens more often, and it is easier on them.  I think the first time, they were alone together Sugar was 2 1/2.  

The Hubby and Sugar have a relationship that is unique to them.  It is much like a Big Brother/Little Sister relationship.  They play together sometimes, bicker at times, and while they love each other, they also annoy each other.  The Hubby likes to share the things that interest him with Sugar.  They tend to Tiny, the pony, together, he shows her all sorts of wildlife, and the things he builds.  She finds him fascinating, and has learned a lot about the world from him.  Again, as she ages, it becomes easier for them to find things to do together, as she shows more interest in what he is doing.  We do family things together, as you can see if you peruse my blog a bit.  We go to the beach, for drives in the woods, and so on.  I am rarely alone, as Gayle wondered.  In fact, I yearn for alone time.  So many years of The Hubby being away fishing set me up for cherishing my alone time, now that it isn't as easy to come by.  

I'm well aware of how strange it all sounds, but while it isn't the traditional family, it is working for us.  I am grateful to have Sugar Bear in my life, and there honestly hasn't been a single day since her birth that I wished for help in her care from The Hubby.  I firmly believe that if your accept things as they are, it is easier to manage it all.  I never wish it was "his turn" to put Sugar to bed.  I wouldn't miss it for the world.  I don't spend time wishing things were different, because they simply are what they are, and I'm okay with that.  I consider myself VERY lucky.  Sugar Bear is the most amazing thing to ever happen to me.  

The photos in this post were taken back in July when The Hubby, Sugar Bear and I went camping.  The Hubby was helping our dog, Daisy, practice diving, and wanted Sugar to see better.  The water in the creek was not only over Sugar's head, it was extremely cold.  The best way for Sugar to see the action was on his shoulder's.  I was so glad to have my zoom lens on my camera, as I was able to snap these shots.  I added texture to them, as they weren't the best quality.  I'm pleased with the results, and know that Sugar will cherish these photos when she is older.  

Wordless Wednesday~ Once a Baby....now a beautiful butterfly!

For more Wordless Wednesday go HERE and HERE!

Do You Relish in the Enormity of it All?

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” ~Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Do you ever find yourself in awe of this amazing responsibility that has been bestowed on us parents?  I mean, it is a hard enough job to instill in our young charges the importance of washing their hands, saying "please" and "thank you", and eating their veggies, but we are also responsible for the BIG stuff.  The REALLY BIG stuff like:

TRUTH

"You will find truth more quickly through delight than gravity. Let out a little more string on your kite." ~Alan Cohen

APPRECIATION

"Don't ignore the small things--the kite flies because of it's tail." ~Hawaiian Proverb

COURAGE

“Don't be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against, not with the wind.” ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

COMMUNITY

“Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me.” ~Albert Schweitzer

LOVE

“As the ocean is never full of water, so is the heart never full of love” ~Anonymous

SENTIMENTALITY

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.” ~Anonymous

DEVOTION

“I dropped a tear in the ocean, and whenever they find it I'll stop loving you, only then.” ~Anonymous

PATIENCE

“Time is like a handful of sand- the tighter you grasp it, the faster it runs through your fingers” ~Anonymous

CONTENTEDNESS

“May your joys be as deep as the ocean, your sorrows as light as its foam.” ~Anonymous

WISDOM

“Write injuries in sand, kindnesses in marble” ~French Proverb

INTEGRITY

“We all leave footprints in the sand, the question is, will we be a big heal, or a great soul.” ~Anonymous

FAITH

“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Are you weighed down with the RESPONSIBILITY, or do you find PRIDE in the HONOR you have been given?  

I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.  From the moment Sugar Bear came to be, it was like no other gift I have ever been given.  Sometimes I feel like it is a second chance to be the person one might have drifted from being.  As I gaze upon my daughter, I feel a strong desire to lead her by example.  I find myself showering her with:

ADORATION

POLITENESS

RELIABILITY

EMPATHY

GRACE

KINDNESS

MODESTY

DECENCY

TRUST

OPEN-MINDEDNESS

FORGIVNESS

SYMPATHY

COMMITMENT

APPROVAL

ADMIRATION

BELIEF

HONESTY

GENTLENESS

ENTHUSIASIM

COMPASSION

SHARING

DEPENDABILITY

COOPERATION

FAIRNESS

REASON

HUMANITY

JUSTICE

MERCY

STRENGTH

RESPECT

THANKFULNESS

UNDERSTANDING

I relish the second chance to get it right.  If any of those things were a struggle to attain for myself.....it certainly is an incredible motivation to learn them for the sake of my child.  She is watching me, and depending on me to be the person she can look up to.  

What a blessing!

P.S.  No Sugar is not shrinking.  I took these photos in August.  :)

I ♥ Faces~ No Flash

This week's theme should have been EASY PEASY for me because 99.5% of the photos I take are without flash, but honestly it was a tad hard to choose. I only have like 518 bajillion photos to choose from. After much consideration, I decided to narrow it down to photo that are NOT Sugar Bear, since I feature her so often here.

With that out of question, the possibilities were down to about 60 bajillion. While skimming through my files I soon landed on one of my favorite shots of my Niece K. I took this the summer of 2007, and loved how the sky lit up her upturned face. Her tiny little freckles are adorable.

I look forward to see all the other entries this week, since photos without flash are a passion of mine.  Head on over and take a look with me.

I WISH.....

...There were more hours in the day, between 8pm and 12am, in particular.

...The Internet I pay an arm and a leg for would actually work consistently, dependably, and quickly.

...I could commit to myself to slow down, and pick up some old beloved hobbies.

...I could quit procrastinating about the housework.

...I wasn't a bit of a pack rat.

...There was an easy solution to the troubles that are rockin' our Country.

...I could find the courage to start taking all the photos friends or friends would like me to take.

...for some sunny days this coming Spring Break Week.

...I could press pause on my Sugar Bear, and keep her just as she is, RIGHT NOW, for a little while longer.

...I could continue to pretend that all children are cherished by those in charge of their care.

...for health and happiness to abound.

...that those suffering dissatisfaction, could find peace and contentment with where they are in life. 

“We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” ~Earl Nightingale

Well then, I best get to work, for some of these wishes certainly deserve my service.  While this post evolved it's meaning for me changed.  It began as a bit of a "whine" about my Internet, my messy house, my wanting to get more done...and yet....in the end, I found myself realizing, if I'm gonna be wishing, it really ought to be about the BIG stuff.  And if I'm gonna be wishing....I better be willing to try to make it happen.