Day Six: Tickled Fancy?

So day six is whatever tickles your fancy... Hmmm...

Jonathan started his new job on Wednesday. For the last few months we have both had some insecurities about the change and some tempting offers to stay with ANI, but we're glad that we made the decision to go to CMI. He likes the people he works for and the people he works with. The benefits are great, even though health insurance is just ridiculous, he is making 70¢ more than what he was at ANI, and the job security is a huge benefit in itself. There is a lot of stress involved with the job, mostly time restrictions and military perfection, but nothing I don't think he can't handle.

School is going well. Learning a lot and doing a lot which makes things more exciting. Oddly enough, I find doing pedicures relaxing... for me... weird? Lol Next week we learn to do acrylics and sculpted acrylics. I've never sculpted a nail before... Should be interesting. Only bummer is that there is so much stuff we have to buy for these classes. The school supplies us with a kit, but that kit doesn't include everything we need to make our grade. The schools are only required to purchase certain things. Anything else is our responsibility, and if we don't have it, we don't get the grade... So it makes it a little rough on the pocketbook especially when we still have kids' clothes to buy and when this is the month that we don't get paid because of Jonathan's job switch.... Somehow, I think we'll make it through...

Labor Day weekend is here and we have no plans, other than relaxing and not stressing. Tomorrow we'll go to the in-laws, (even though the kids have been begging to go today) and I'll be giving a hair cut, 2 mani's and a pedi. ☺

Hope that everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day weekend.

          -Jaclyn-

Day Five: Quote

So I chose to do this challenge because I am bored and have nothing better to do... However, it has been difficult with all of these "favorites". I don't believe I have ever favorited just one thing... So I am removing the "favorite" and just going to give my favoriteS. Lol

"A man who never made a mistake never tried anything new."-- Albert Einstein. 

"Give thanks for what you are now and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow."-- Fernanda Miramonted-Landeros

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."-- Anthony J. D'Angelo

"The highest reward for your work is not what you get for it, but what you become by it."-- John C. Maxwell

Of course, there are a million more, but I must clean this house... This couch cushion is starting to get a permanent ass imprint.

Have a great Labor Day weekend everyone! ☺

          -Jaclyn-

Day Four: Book

Favorite book...

This book was one of the very first of Dean Koontz's that really grabbed my attention... Until the Odd Thomas series, or the Frankenstein series, which are really great reads. 

Intensity is basically a battle of wits between a serial killer and Chyna, the only person he's ever feared since he failed to "sense her" twice... The serial killer, Edgar Vess, is all about living life by immersing himself in sensation, living without fear, and living with intensity. At first Chyna's sole aim is to make it out alive until she finds another innocent girl that Edgar has kept alive...

They made a movie sometime in the mid to late 90's that was just terrible! Of course, the book is always better than the movie 99% of the time, but this movie was just terrible! 

Unfortunately, the last year Koontz's books have really sucked some serious ass... I don't know what's gotten into this man and his writing ability. Unless someone else is writing the books and Koontz is using his name to sell them. They have just been pure crap! Highly disappointed. 

I am now reading the Steig Larsson series; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I am only on the first book and so far so good!

What are some great books you recommend?

          -Jaclyn-

Day Three: Favorite Television Program

I don't really watch a whole lot of tv since I am usually just cooped up on the laptop, playing or watching Jonathan play some COD:MW2 or I'm reading a book. But when I do watch tv, I usually watch a lot of it! Lol

I watch A LOT of baby shows or any medical related show. TLC or Discovery Health have the best. I cannot stand reality tv (other than the baby or medical shows of course!)... Makes me ill! The things people do for fame and money and the people that watch them let them consume their lives or talk about them as if they knew these people in person. Can't stand it.

My absolute overall favorite is most definitely Fringe. It's a science fiction series that follows an FBI team who investigates fringe science (rare diseases, chimera, psychic abilities, etc). It's so, so, so neat... mostly if you're into the whole sci-fi stuff. This isn't the cheesy sci-fi on the syfy channel, this is SO much better! The first season started in 2008, I believe. The third season is supposed to premier September 23rd. I'm super excited. However, because of school I missed over half of the second season, so Jonathan and I are going to have to make a weekend plan to catch up on missed episodes. :D

I am slightly ashamed to admit that my current favorite is ............................................ *drum roll* .............................................

The Secret Life of the American Teenager 

I know. I know! It's terrible!!! It's just... so... darn addicting... I can't stay away from it! I was never so happy to see Ricky and Amy together again and I'm anxious to know if Ben and Adrian are going to work out or not and what their baby will look like! Gah!!!!! Somebody save me from this terrible addiction!!!!

Until tomorrow...

          -Jaclyn-

Day Two: Favorite Movie

This isn't hard for me at all... Except for the fact that I cannot just pick one. There are THREE!!! :D And I'll add some of my favorite quotes from them as well...

In no particular order, for they are all tied for first place. They are:

1. Erin Brockovich. This movie never fails at making me laugh and I just love how much of a bluntly honest smart ass woman she is.

"That's all you got lady. Two wrong feet in fucking ugly shoes."

"They're called boobs, Ed."

"I just went out there and performed sexual favors. 634 blow jobs in five days... I'm really quite tired."

2. Forrest Gump. I can honestly say that I still don't know what it is about this movie that makes me just want to watch it over and over again. It always gets to me.

"And 'cause I was a gazillionaire, and I liked doing it so much, I cut that grass for free."

"...Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it... Shrimp kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it."

3. Dirty Dancing. I remember watching this as a little girl and trying to learn all of the dance routines with my sisters. Lol. Those were the days...

"Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you."

"Oh, come on ladies. God wouldn't have given you maracas if he didn't want you to shake 'em."

Until tomorrow...

-Jaclyn-

Perspective

I have had the great pleasure and extra confidence boost by being told I was good looking. Thank you. Thank you.☺

There are two occasions that I will speak of. Two very different men and two very different approaches, and of course my two very different reactions.

A few months ago I went to Wal-Mart to do my dreaded weekly grocery shopping adventure and had the pleasure annoyance of being complimented... I walk toward two men and a woman. One of the guys looks me up and down and tells me, "Damn girl! You are on FIYA!!! *Insert cheesy whistle here*" I had a million and one things I wanted to say to that pig! Firstly, thank you. Secondly, how dare you talk to me or "compliment" me like I am a piece of meat! I took and different approach and kindly walked away... I was so angry though and couldn't get over the fact that somebody had actually said that to me... I still can't believe someone would actually say that to anyone, period. It's men like that, that give all other men a bad name. This guy was probably in his early twenties and was just looking for a wham, bam, kind of ma'am.

Then today... while at the store, go figure. I walk toward a man in his mid forties who is smiling like he just won the lottery. As he gets closer he says, "Girl. You are so pretty. You have a nice day." "Thank you! You have a nice day yourself." Smiling like I won the lottery as I walk away. I will tell you what! I looked a hot MESS going to the store today. Pajama's, hair that hasn't been shampoo'd in 3 days so it's flat to my head, no makeup and a hole in my shirt. And he told me I was so pretty!!! I think I had an extra bounce in my step after that...

Then I started thinking about the first situation I mentioned and how differently I reacted. The first time all I wanted to do was tell that guy to **** off! Today, I smiled and thanked the man. I wonder that if the first guy had complimented me like the second if I would still react the same or if I would respond the way I did today. Is it correlated with the way the compliment is given or does it have something to do with the age of the complimentee (:Þ)? Most of the time that I have been given a compliment by a younger man, it's usually something that just screams asshole. However, all young guys don't act that way... Right?

Oh My GOSH!!! How could I not tell you this story!

This one more like creeped me out! Went shopping at like 10 o'clock this night because we had plans for all of the next day and I had no other time to get it done. I keep noticing this man following me around the store with his friend and I just kind of ignored it until they greet me at the van at 11:30 in BFE of the parking lot, just me. It was kind of the moment that made you think, Oh my god! Why didn't I buy any pepper spray when my mom told me to? Where are my keys, I can use those as a weapon? Anyway... One of the guys continues to his car while the other asks me if I play ball. "Play ball? No. Why?"
"Well, you were dressed sporty (I was wearing my gym clothes and sports bra.) and I thought maybe you played. So you really don't play ball?"
"I really don't play ball."
"Do you know of any night clubs around here?"
"Umm... Michael's is right over there by Hooters."
He is a black man. He asks me about the ethnic majority of the club since he's looking for something predominantly black.
Then he asks me if I want to join them at the club because he thinks I am attractive and he wanted to tell me in the store, but said I looked stuck up so he didn't approach me. Eventually, he walks to his car and they leave. WHEW! I had one of my biggest freak out sessions ever!

First off, why the hell did you approach me outside?! He even asked me if I was scared, which only freaked me out more. Of course I denied being scared! Even though I kept looking back to his friends car and checking behind me. Secondly, after I was home safe with my husband and family I am seriously bothered that he said I looked stuck up! I went through a million questions with Jonathan asking why someone would think I was stuck up because I am definitely NOT stuck up! I am such a people person! Then I was like, Hey, he said I was attractive.Definitely not the time, place, or way I want to be told I am attractive.


Anyway, Perspective, shmective...

Day One: Favorite Song

Because I am so bored at home everyday while the kids are all at school and I have been avoiding cleaning the apartment ever since my sister in law called me, I am starting a 30 day challenge.

For each of those 30 days there is a certain topic. Day one is your favorite song... So here goes.

This is actually really hard for me because I just LOVE music period. I don't know if I really have a "favorite" and I definitely don't think I could pick just one. Jonathan tells me that every song is my "favorite" song because I hear a song and it's instantly my "favorite." I tend to listen to a lot of "sad" or "depressing" songs. Growing up my dad told me that if i didn't listen to more upbeat music I was going to be depressed the rest of my life. Then when I did, he told me to quit listening to "devil music." Haha! Never can win.

Well, here's my shot at listing my "favorite" song. Or two... Or three... They're really those songs that I listen to when I think of the most important moments in my life.

1. Never Been To Spain- but only Elvis Presley's version ☺ R.I.P. Uncle Robert



2. My Letter- Flaw; Really a sad song, but it has a huge significance to my life.



So for an actual favorite song:

3. Prayer- Disturbed; This is the song that made me fall in love with them!



And really any song from the 90's (Haha!)

What is or are your favorite songs?

-Jaclyn-

Happy Birthday To Me... Yesterday

*WARNING: Rather lengthy, rambly post. Proceed with caution.

Yesterday I turned 23... 23! I think 25 is creeping upon me rather quickly. Lol

Thanks to facebook, my many friends and family remembered my birthday. However, my children didn't need facebook to remember for they had been reminding me every day since Sunday that my birthday was on Thursday and I was going to be 23 years old.

The morning of my birthday Joseph ran into my bathroom yelling at me:

"Mom! Mom! Guess what?!"

"What Joseph?"

"It's your birthday and you're 23 years old!!" (with a huge grin of excitement and surprise on his face)

"Yes Joseph, that's right. If you hadn't reminded me just now, I'd have definitely forgotten. Thanks for the reminder."

"You're welcome. I love you mom. Happy birthday."

"Thank you Joseph. I love you more."

Soon after all three ran and sang Happy Birthday once each, and then sang it once together. They were pretty proud to celebrate my birthday. And I was never happier having been sang Happy Birthday to four subsequent times.

Needless to say the day began rather well. Loaded the kids onto their buses and came home to try and sleep a little bit... Of course that didn't work out since I was already wide awake... Not long later I received a text from Jonathan telling me to be ready to leave at 11 o'clock. Being Jaclyn, I had to ask, "As in 11 this afternoon or tonight?" (Don't ask I have no idea what I was thinking!) "This afternoon! :)" was his response. So that scratched off my workout for the day since it was already 8:am and the workout was an hour and a half and I still had some school work to go over.

(Just a little FYI) I had quit the P90X after like 2 weeks because I started school, Jonathan's work schedule was getting weird with having to go lock up at night and all the kids were now home for the summer, so there really wasn't a whole lot of time to get it done. So I've finally started back on the P90X again since the kids have been back in school and it is going well. Wish me luck and completion this time around. ☺

At 10:am I start my workout, somehow forgetting that Jonathan told me to be ready to go at 11... I instantly freaked quit the workout and took a 3 minute (or less) shower and was dressed, hair and makeup done in 30 minutes... I had done it all with 30 minutes to spare. Then I get a text at 11:10, "Running late. On my way." All that rushing and he's now running late! Go figure!

Fifteen minutes later, Jonathan walked through the door redeeming himself for being late with some of the most beautiful lilies (my favorite flowers) I have ever seen. We went for lunch at a place called Sweet Peppers Deli. It was a first time for both of us and it was so delicious! We both ordered the Sicilian Panini, a grilled ciabatta bread with ham, pepperoni & salami, topped with provolone, red bell pepper, pepperoncini (not even really sure what that is lol), tomato & Italian dressing with a side of the pasta salad. The panini was so so so so so good! A tid bit spicy, but just enough. The pasta salad was okay... Seemed as though the noodles were maybe cooked too long or had been sitting in the fridge soaking up the sauce making them too soft, but the flavor was good. Then we headed next door to a place called Frosting. The place was SO cute! It was decked out in pinks, browns and greens and reminded me slightly of the Fairy Godparents! Lol They are a cupcake and pastry shop that had SO much to choose from! We missed happy hour (buy one get one free) by 30 minutes, but I did get a 10% discount for it being my birthday! ☺ I chose the white chocolate raspberry cupcake, and Jonathan got the very blueberry cupcake and if that wasn't enough we got a caramel hazelnut pastry that we have yet to try because we were so dang full! The white chocolate raspberry is a vanilla cupcake filled with raspberry cream, topped with butter cream frosting, white chocolate shavings and fresh raspberries! OMG!!! Not only were there probably a million calories in that thing, but it was so very delicious! The very blueberry, I will say was better since Jonathan let me try a bite :). It reminded me a lot of a blueberry streusel. It was filled with blueberries and topped with vanilla butter cream frosting and sugared blueberries. Yummm!!!!!! After we left, not only did I have to unbutton my pants, but I seriously wanted to vomit I had eaten so much and I still hadn't done my workout... Made it home without puking and laid on the couch.

At 10 minutes to 3 I got my shoes on to go get Joseph from the bus stop, only to find him at our window peeking in and walking away. What?! His bus dropped off early so he walked to the apartment and only peeked in the window and started walking away because he didn't see anyone (the windows are fairly tinted, so it's a little difficult to see anything from the outside.) He didn't even try to knock or open the door! Once I decided to let him in we had a nice little talk about what to do if he gets off the bus early. So this leads to the interesting part of my (our) day. The girls' bus has never dropped them off earlier than 3:30, so at 3:25 I walked to the bus stop. 3:45 comes, still no bus, which is not unusual because they have shown up at 4 before. The biggest and so far the only downfall I have with this school is their lack of a time schedule. The other Head start that comes through picks up at 7:25 and drops off at 3:00 EVERY DAY! Why can't Lynda Lyons get it together?! Anyway... 4:00 shows and still no bus. I call the school this is our conversation:

"Lynda Lyons Head start, this is so & so speaking."

"Would you happen to know if the blue tag bus is running late?"

"All the buses have made it back."

Keep in mind that the head start does not let the kids off of the bus without a parents ID. So I start freaking!

"So where are my kids?!?!"

"Who are you looking for ma'am."

"Amaya and Tressa Nissen." All the while, I'm practically yelling at the lady because I'm so frantic...

"They're right here at the office waiting for you."

"What?! Why did they not get on the bus?"

"They were on the bus. They waited at the bus stop and you weren't there, so they called you and you said you were on your way."

Okay! Did this lady just say what I think she said?!

"Look lady, NOBODY ****ing called me." Unfortunately I have a bad potty mouth, let alone when I become upset or angry, so please excuse all of the expletives. :)

"Yes they did. They called and said you were on your way to pick them up 30 minutes ago."

This lady is clearly out of her mind!!!

I quickly drove to the school. Not thinking about anything but getting my babies as quickly as possible and thinking about all the things I was going to say to this lady. They were going to get a piece of my mind!

I ran into the school and see Mrs. Knight (Tressa's teacher for most of the summer) and the head of education.

*Warning: Expletives ahead. Beware.

"Why was I not called?"

"We called you. Said you were on your way."

"Look lady, (showing her my phone log) NOBODY ****ing called me! NOBODY! Nobody called my husband, my mother-in-law (I called her on my way to the school just in case) or my father-in-law. You definitely did not speak to any of us."

"Ma'am that's what so & so said."

"What number did she call?"

"I can find out for you tomorrow."

"No. I want to know NOW."

"Let me get the book."

They bring the book and all of the numbers they have listed for us are correct.

"I'm telling you right now, she miss dialed. But it still makes no sense. Who the hell else has two daughters named Amaya and Tressa, in Gulfport, that attend your school and supposedly is on their way to pick them up?? NO ONE!! And besides, if you had ****ing called me, why the hell would I have called your ***es asking if the bus was late because I wanted to know where the **** my kids were?! And if I was supposedly on my way 30 minutes ago why didn't anyone call me again to ask where the **** I was?! Answer me that lady!"

"I'm just telling you what the bus driver told me."

"Well, lady. The bus driver is ****ing crazy, because she didn't call anybody!"

Mrs. Knight then says "It's okay. They're here. Nothing happened to them."

"Don't try to console me. I am PISSED OFF!"

I just then realize that I'm making a complete fool of myself and talking to these ladies so disrespectfully all the while my girls are watching me. I was just so angry. I was trembling, I felt my blood pressure rising, my blood was boiling and I wanted to know how and why this happened...

"I was at the bus stop from 3:25-4:10..."

"We got there at 3:20. I went into the office (of the apartment complex) and walked right back out because I didn't know if they wanted me in their office or not."

"You guys are NEVER there before 3:30! Don't ever think you can't go into that office. If for whatever reason I am not out there, please go in there and have them call me or you call me. And make sure it's actually me. I am 2 seconds from the bus stop, you can wait that long for me to come to you."

"That's why we tell the parents to be at the bus stop at 2:30 because there are times when some kids don't show up and we don't have to travel those roads."

"I am not going to sit at the bus stop in the heat for an hour and a half because you "might" show up before 3:30! I'll see you at the bus stop tomorrow morning."

"Don't forget you need to sign them out at their classrooms."

Seriously?! I just walked out and took my babies home...

I'd never been so happy to see my kids in all my life!

I debated on whether or not to go to class that night because I was still so pissed off about the whole ordeal. I did end up going. I haven't missed a day yet, so why not just go?!

I eventually calmed down and some of the classmates remembered my birthday :)

Melina got me some eye shadow's because she knows how much I love makeup and Zrondia (pronounced Zon- druh, weird spelling for that pronunciation, I know) went to Krispy Kreme and got me four donuts! Lol

Overall, I think I had a good day and I definitely felt like an idiot looking at Mrs. Knight (she is often one of the two bus assistants) this morning when they picked the kids up, but she still gave me her sweet lady smile and talked to me as though we were best of friends....

Thank you to everyone that wished me happy birthday you all made it special.

-Jaclyn-

It's been a while!

The kids have been back in school for almost two weeks now and the house is abnormally quiet. Joseph started first grade and loves it. His teacher is such a sweetheart and I think we'll get along quite well. :) The girls are in their last year of headstart and are a little upset that they don't get pretty backpacks or get to ride Joseph's bus, but I'm almost certain they've forgotten about those little differences now that they're in school. They enjoy their teachers, however, just a tad angry that they don't have the same teachers as before, as was Joseph too now that I think about it...

Tressa has always been a sensitive child and she has gotten a few heartbreak's in recent days at school. Mostly, just other kids saying that she isn't their best friend, but with some explaining and talking to, she's doing better now. ☺ Joseph got his first kiss!!!  (Read this post here to hear all about it!) He also made a 100% on his first ever spelling test! Overall, this school year has started out well... Let's hope it continues so...

COS 100 (Intro to cosmetology) ended and now we are in COS 109 (nails). I have never been so excited to do manicures and pedicures before! COS 100 was just so boring! Finally something fun and more hands on. We got 10 new students in our class and they are quite an interesting bunch. Very quiet still even after a week, but I think I have almost "broken them in."

We began giving manicures last night and I couldn't have been happier... Until my client Kimberly sat at my table with nearly no nails! She has a nervous tick and takes medication for stress and anxiety related issues and still she chewed her nails to nothingness! I mean seriously NOTHING!!! They were so red and just painful looking. I wanted to cry while pushing back her cuticles and all she said was "Oh, you're not going to hurt me, chewing my nails like this doesn't hurt." It doesn't?!?!?! OMG!!! After I finished her manicure I will say that her nails did look... better... but damn!

After completing Kimberly's manicure, Melina pampered me with one. My nails look so pretty! Unfortunately, they're slightly stained since I forgot my base coat last time I polished them since I was in such a rush to get them done and out the door. During the manicures I had a chance to learn a lot about both Kimberly and Melina and it was a nice change of pace. Of course we have talked every night of class about ourselves, but for whatever reason, the manicures seem to open women up a bit, and sometimes I realize this will not always be a good thing, but last night it was. And each day I learn a little bit more about myself, which is the ultimate reward for anything. At least for me.

These last few weeks have been very stressful, but Jonathan being the persuader that he is, has been doing a fair job at letting me know things are going to be okay and will all work out in the end... Still can't completely convince myself though... So think about us and keep us all in your thoughts.

Until next time...

Something "silly and nasty" ......

Yesterday, after I got home from work, Jaclyn and I went to the bus stop to pick up Joseph, Amaya, and Tressa...like any average day Joseph's bus was there about half an hour before the girl's...Joseph climbed into the van and said "I have something silly and nasty to tell you, but I'm gonna wait until we get home and tell you first mom where dad can't hear! And then I'll tell you Dad!"

So we ask him to go ahead and tell us...

Joseph: "No! Hehehehehe it's reeeallly silly and NASTY!! Hehehehe!"

We gave up momentarily and Jaclyn and I continued talking about our days.

We started asking Joseph about his day and unerringly it lead back to the silly and nasty...

He said "on the bus Serenity sat next to me and had chap-stick in a tube"..."it was pink and had sprinkles"..."she put it on her lips and pointed and said "Look at the ants!" and when I looked she kissed the back of my head in my hair!"..."Insert giggles here"...

Haha! Joseph's first kiss...and he totally fell for the "hey look over there" routine...classic!

Freedom of Christianity...er I mean Religion...

For the past few weeks I've noticed an alarming amount of protests and news articles about mosques being built around the country...most notably the one near ground zero of 9/11. There is one major point I don't understand. Where has freedom of religion gone?

So I recently read according to polls that the U.S.A. is 78% Christian, which is why this blog is titled such...Christians seem to think they deserve freedom of THEIR religion but other religions are not allowed the same freedoms our country was founded on.

Some fun facts about the mosque being built "near" "Ground Zero":

This mosque near Ground Zero is actually 2 blocks north of Ground Zero...it is to be a cultural center with a swimming pool, a 400 seat theater, an auditorium, and art centers.

There is a similar building built by the Jewish community uptown. It's called the 92nd Street Y.

There is going to be a Greek Orthodox church built on the site of Ground Zero, because it was destroyed. Saint Paul's Chapel, an Episcopal church, is across the street from Ground Zero.

There's religious institutions all over the place.

Only one of them is being harassed about building a religious building near or on this so called "hallowed ground."

Now comparing this to another religious building built on "ground zero"...the Hiroshima World Peace Memorial Cathedral...We "Christian" Americans bombed Hiroshima with our nuclear bomb "little boy" killing an estimated 140,000 people...Religion in Japan is mainly associated with Shinto and Buddhism. So why is there a christian cathedral memorial built there? Shouldn't Japanese citizens be outraged?? Wait...Japan, much like the U.S.A., has FREEDOM of RELIGION! Imagine that...the freedom to practice your religion in peace and without undue restrictions or criticisms.

On to another criticized building site:

In 1984 a group of Carmelite nuns announced their decision to construct a convent on the grounds of the former concentration camp. In this case Jewish organizations voiced their disapproval by launching an international protest.

Commentators complained that Polish authorities and the Church had not consulted with the Jewish community before embarking upon plans to construct a convent on the site. However, it was never satisfactorily explained as to why they should, any more than Jewish authorities would agree to consult with the Church if they planned to erect a small memorial temple on the site of Birkenau.

In fact, the debate surrounding the negative Jewish response to Christian prayer at Auschwitz was perplexing to Christians of all persuasions. Few Christians were able to understand the vehemence in which Jews generally responded to Christian prayers.

Just as assuredly Muslims are confused as to why they should not be allowed to build a church because it happens to be "too close" to a location associated with a terrorist attack by people claiming/deemed to be Muslim.

Ok so...

All across America anywhere there was a major battle between the Colonists and Native Americans any church within 2 blocks of that area should be torn down because it is a slap in the face to all the descendants of those Native Americans who were killed by the "terrorist colonists" who killed them out of anger and self justified motives of religion and "racial superiority".

But why stop there? Christians have killed millions in the name of THEIR religion all over the world...so any christian institution near any known crusade or wars in the name of Christianity should be torn down too...

Technically if you were to follow this methodology you would be hard pressed to find places that any christian building could be built without offending someone...

Also an important note...33% of our world follows some form of Christianity...23% of our world is Muslim...if those roughly 2 billion Muslims were all radical terrorists we would have suicide bombers on every street corner in the world.

The terrorists are a select few...and there are terrorists that would claim to be Christians...does that make all Christians terrorists?? Of course it does! Since obviously American Christians think that because 19 Muslims became terrorists and killed a few thousand Americans that ALL Muslims are terrorists!!!

No matter what religion or beliefs you have, think about this a second...There are good and bad people in every country, every religion, every race, every age group...we should all try to stop being so damned prejudice...

Comments? please post I'd love to hear them! ;)

The Stop Sign and The Gun...

The other day Amaya borrowed some of her big brother legos and built a Stop Sign and a Gun...




These legos sat on our dresser in our bedroom for almost a week, when Amaya decides to tell us "The Gun was gonna shoot, but the Stop Sign stopped it!" Haha! Priceless! Thinking about making (or stealing! :P ) a Stop Sign and just holding it up anytime I want something to stop!

Kids fighting...STOP SIGN!

Hamsters chewing on their cages...STOP SIGN!

Insert your own daily annoyance...STOP SIGN!

The possibilities are endless! Thus my child made me laugh, made me imagine the possibilities, and made me stop...and spend some time thinking about the simplicity of childhood and the complications of life.

What is beautiful?!

What IS beautiful really?

Merriam-Webster defines beautiful as having qualities of beauty : exciting aesthetic pleasure. So then, what is beauty? Merriam-Webster defines beauty as : the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit : loveliness
2 : a beautiful person or thing; especially : a beautiful woman
3 : a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
4 : a brilliant, extreme, or egregious example or instance

Not the definitions you were expecting, right? Or were they? Mostly because, we as a society have created a new meaning for what is really beautiful. Curious, I went to Google and searched "beautiful women" under images and got this result:

Hardly any of them had clothes on or were sans makeup. And if they weren't clothed they definitely didn't look like this:

Which picture do you find "beautiful"?

Picture number two wins for me hands down. I might be biased since I have quite the flabby tummy myself :Þ, but she looks genuinely happy. She isn't enhanced or altered (to my knowledge)The first picture seems so... FAKE... Her expressions look forced, her ass was probably enlarged with photoshop and her face looks as though it has seen far too much sun and botox injections. Am I wrong? Who is really wrong?

The extent women go to be beautiful is beyond me. I mean... There are some crazy things people have done or are doing now, regardless of any consequences. Right now I am in intro to cosmetology and we're learning all the history and stories behind it and here are some crazy things that we have learned in class. Some of them I had already known, but some of them are new to me.

In ancient China, the 4-inch "lotus foot" was considered a sign of perfect beauty. The practice of foot-binding involved breaking the bones of the forefoot and folding them forward, then tying the misshapen appendage to prohibit growth.

For ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Persians, sparkling eyes were considered beautiful and they applied the heavy metal antimony to make their conjunctiva sparkle. A woman with a high forehead was considered beautiful during the Elizabethan era, and upper-class Elizabethan women plucked or shaved their eyebrows and top of their hairline to achieve this look. These women also covered their skin with ceruse (lead-based) makeup, which caused peripheral neuropathy, gout, anemia, chronic renal failure, and disfiguring scarring, requiring the application of more ceruse makeup. Chronic users, such as Queen Elizabeth I, acquired a misshapen appearance. Upset over her grisly visage, the Queen banished all mirrors from her castle.

In the court of Louis XVI, noblewomen drew blue veins onto their necks and shoulders to emphasize their exalted status ("bluebloods"). In the 16th and 17th centuries, the wealthy used belladonna eyedrops to dilate their pupils. Users acquired an "attractive" doe-like appearance, but they also risked retinal damage, glaucoma, and blindness. During the 18th century, vermilion rouge, concocted of sulfur and mercury, achieved popularity. Users lost teeth, suffered gingivitis, and (unknowingly) risked kidney and nervous system damage from mercury.

Today, it's all about hair dyes, makeup, corsets, botox, cosmetic surgeries, anorexia, bulimia, meth, heroine, among many other drugs that rid you of an appetite and speed up your metabolism. What are we doing to ourselves?

To some, if not most of you, this is just a ridiculous rant that will lead me to nowhere, and you're probably right. But I felt compelled. In class we were outlining chapter three of our books, which is all about your personal image. I came across a paragraph that contained a few sentences that really rattled me.

First, let me be the first to tell you that I LOVE me some makeup and I wear it almost daily. I will be the first to tell you that I am somewhat unhappy with my body and what I see are it's flaws, and to most women this is also true to them. However, I am surprisingly the most happy about my body than I have ever been. I think I am sexy and beautiful and real. I am learning everyday to embrace my "flaws" and lead a healthy example for my girls.

Okay... Enough about all that... Let me get to my point.

Here is the excerpt from the paragraph under The Art of Makeup.

"...You should ALWAYS use makeup to accentuate your best features, and mask your less flattering ones. With that said, it is VITAL to ALWAYS wear makeup at work. A freshly scrubbed face may look great for a leisurely day at the beach, but it does NOTHING to promote your image as a beauty professional while at work..." (Milady's Standard Cosmetology pg. 29)

WHAT?!?! Did that really make it to print in our book?! Yes, yes it did...

Who are you to tell me that I HAVE to wear makeup to work to make it as a beauty professional? If I'm being honest, most women to me, look more beautiful without all the makeup. I choose to wear it because I feel I look ill or pale without it. Mostly because I am used to seeing myself with it on and that is probably the case with a lot of women. But why would I have to wear it to make a living as a cosmetologist? If I'm good at what I do, that should be enough, right?

I'm done ranting... For now. Most of you will probably not have made it this far into the post, so I'll just zip it.

Thanks for listening... Or reading... Whatever.

Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it. —Confucius

9:31

Last night after the kids settled into bed Jonathan relaxed on the couch to continue reading his book while I finished the remainder of my homework.

After what seemed like a few hours had passed, I checked the clock, sure to see that it was midnight or well after, only to find that it was 9:31pm. We felt terribly tired and went to bed.

Does this make us old?!

However, once we got to bed we each began to discuss and share our dreams of the future and our ever hopeful and one day successful business. And of course we had to have a most ridiculous argument about women wearing too much makeup and societies stance on what is professional and what is beautiful or not (This makes me want to write another post). We talked about where we would be or how our life would have differed had we not gone back to Missouri after Katrina... We decided that we like the way things are now and would not change them for anything; ups, downs, and everything in between. ☺ We finally ended our discussions with jokes about telling one another to shut the hell up so the other could sleep. =Þ

Eventually the lights were out at 11pm... Maybe we're not so old after all. ;)

Biting The Hand That Feeds You

Joseph is eating his breakfast at the kitchen table and he turns to ask me, "Mom. Does your ring talk?"

"Does my ring talk? What?"

"Yeah, does it do everything you do?"

"What do you mean? Rings cannot talk, Joseph."

"Not ring, BRAIN mom."

"Oh... (Feeling slightly retarded and a little deaf too) Um... Brains don't talk like we do. They....."

Lots of screaming and crying takes place

"What happened?" No answer. "Why are you crying?"

"AHHHHHHHH. SOB. SOB. SCREAM. SOB. SCREAM....."

"Joseph, I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong."

"I... I... *SOB, SCREAM*... I... Bent my thumb."

"How did you bend your thumb, son?

"Not bend, BIT my thumb."

Realizing I might actually need a hearing aid, I ask him, "How did you bite your thumb then?"

He shows me his thumb, which is now dripping quite a bit of blood.

"You bit that good. What were you doing?"

"I was eating my toast." He must have thought he was starving to have bitten it so hard.

Toy Story Band-aid's come out and the tears dry up and he is eating once again, only this time much slower than before.

"Mom, I think my thumb has a broken heart now."

"Thumbs don't have hearts."

"But I feel it's heart beat in there."

I love him.

Nights Two & Three

Warning: You might find this a rather long post. Please forgive me ☺

Night two was not much different than night one. If anything is was more hectic and not much of anything got accomplished.

We received our kits and roll arounds on night two. So we went through the kits making sure we had everything. We got paired up with one of the other students who were already familiar with their kits and what not. I got paired with Kimberly, who was my pin curl partner the first night. I didn't think that it was going to be a bad idea, but it was BAD. Everyone knows how organized and planned I am... This girl is obviously the complete opposite. I wanted to lay everything out on the table and start looking for the first thing on the list and marking as I go. No, she just started grabbing shit from my organized set up and marking it off the list. Then she just started marking shit without checking to see if I had it or not. I was getting surprisingly angry with her over this. She wasn't doing it right the way I wanted. I held my tongue for what seemed like an eternity and snapped. "Look. You're just marking shit off the list and I don't see it here. Half the stuff you've marked off the list isn't what you're putting back into the box." She replied, obviously pissed at me for being such a smart ass. "No, I know I'm doing it right. I do have a kit of my own you know." I was HOT. And for what? I was the smart ass first, but she was being an idiot! She went outside to smoke and left me to myself (Thankfully), low and behold she has marked more than one thing off the list that was not in my kit! Stupid women who think they know everything.

Our kit included a million and one things: A shit ton of combs of all sorts; rat tail, detangling, metal rat tail, wide tooth, taper comb, shear comb, and dozens of each! Six round brushes, paddle brush, scalp brush that is so hard, I would be terrified of using it on a scalp for fear of removing all the scalp while brushing, vent brushes, and other brushes that I have no idea what they are called. Then a roll of brushes and combs. Shears, thinning shears, razor cutters that I am super excited about learning how to use! Different capes, that I cannot figure out the difference in (waterproof cape, hair cutting cape, and shampoo cape) they all look and feel the exact same! Makes no sense. An acrylic set, facial set and brushes, cosmetic kit but no cosmetic brushes, clippers, peanut clippers, clipper guides, spray bottles, mirror, single prong clips, duckbill clips, butterfly clips, double prong clips, curling iron, flat iron, blow dryer with a diffuser, nozzle concentrator and another attachment that I have no idea what it is called, and all the stuff for dying hair and giving pedicures. Whew! Did you get all that?! Wait! There's more! Five mannequins that all have names even. Miss Michelle, two Miss Amerikan, Miss Maria, and the man mannequin named Magnum, and he looks a lot like Jesus; and of course a mannequin stand. The mannequin heads are nasty. Not only do they look drag-esque, but the hair has been super-processed to make it clean. It's grossness. On the upside? We get to decorate them however we want! Helloooooooo Sharpie collection! I'm thinking maybe drag queen. I wonder if I could pull off putting convincing freckles on them? Hmmmm... Unfortunately, because they have been super processed, we cannot use them until their hair has been cut and until they've had a hair dye. Which is two different classes I'm sure and we don't even know when we'll have those classes. Gay!

I mentioned having been missing a few items from our kits, right. First, my mirror was broken, then we were missing single prong clips (which are super important for the class that I am currently in because of all the hairstyles that require them), the clippers, peanut clippers, shampoo cape, and the thermal holder. The students that are in the class with us newbies still had not received the items they were missing from their kits and they've been in school for six weeks now. Not looking promising folks!

By the time we finished with our kits, it was seriously 8:00 and class starts at 5:45. All that time to go through our kits! After all of that we outlined our chapter and started our workbook questions, there are 117 of them. We have our first test on Monday on finger waves and pin curls. Thankfully it's not the practical part of it, because nearly everyone of us would fail! Seems pretty simple and to the point. I got this in the bag! ☺

Night three: On Thursdays and every other Saturday we have a different teacher. Her name is Mrs. Buie (Boo eee). She is an older woman who was a psychologist for years and years while doing hair on the side and decided she wanted to get paid for it and went to school for cosmetology. Because she was a psychologist she had us do a couple activities. One to determine left or right brained-ness, a personality test, and a puzzle. Of course I am extremely left brained. Us left brainers are very organized, punctual, we seek logic and facts rather than instinct or gut feelings. We remember names and we are sequential. The down fall being, we can't figure out why right brainers are the way they are and we don't see "the whole picture" we do it one thing at a time. You right brainers are not organized, you are led by your feelings, have no sense of time and are just random, but you see the whole picture, not just parts!

Then the personality test to determine if we were stringers or groupers. Stringers, simply put, love order and a structured learning environment. They are list makers, plan every detail, etc. (left brained) Groupers are very general. They like to learn a little bit of everything and can easily get distracted by other more interesting subject matter. They plan things in a broader aspect and usually do it all in their head instead of on paper.(right brained) Anybody wanna hazard a guess as to what I am? I am a Stringer.

We did an exercise where the Groupers (5 of them) formed a group and the Stringers (2 of us)(Only had 7 students show up last night) formed groups and we had to plan a vacation. We had to figure out where we were going, how we were getting there, what we were going to do and what we needed to bring.Not unexpectedly, Us Stringers made detailed lists and chose one location (France) and chose many activities (water sports, canal cruises, hiking, wine tours, cuisine, Disneyland Resort Paris (which I did not know about until my partner, the only other stringer, told me about it), Normandy, learning the language, museums, etc. We literally had a million activities planned. We were gonna make it worth it!). The poor Groupers chose 3 countries, 3 modes of getting to them, alcohol (Apparently my classmates are a bunch of lushes =Þ) and one other activity was planned for each location. And it was all listed in pictures. Guess they really are broad-spectrum thinkers, huh? Lol

Then we did a puzzle. Mrs. Buie handed out two pictures of horses and then one picture that had two jockeys. The puzzle was to rearrange the pieces so the jockeys were riding the horses the correct way.Here's a picture of them:

First instinct might be to solve it this way:

But that is incorrect because the jockeys must be riding on the back of the horses, not the underside of the belly. I also tried doing it this way, and that clearly doesn't work either:

 So THIS

would be your solution. It took me a while to get it.

Then we went on break and came back to an empty classroom. Mrs. Buie walked by and told us she was cutting two of her friends' hair and told us to sit tight. What the hell? So we're just supposed to sit here while you cut two people's hair? She comes back with two women and her hair cutting supplies. There were students working on the floor so she had to bring them to the classroom. Both ladies have been getting their hair cut by Mrs. Buie alone for 26 years! I hope to have loyal clients like that some day! The younger woman had really long, heavy hair. She was going to cut it all off! I was super excited! He hair was pretty, but it just weighed her down and made her look old and tired. She ended up cutting off 15 inches! It looks SOOOOOO fucking cute! I wish I had taken before and after pictures! Tee-hee. Maybe Mrs. Buie will be getting another client... ME. Tee-hee.

Okay... This blog is already ridiculously long, so I'm going to end it there. Saturday mornings I have class from 8:30a-2:30p and it's supposed to be all practical work. So pin curls and finger waves for six whole hours! Lovely!

Until next time...

-Jaclyn-

In The Beginning

So... My first night of cosmetology was last night. I am attending Blue Cliff College for Cosmetology. The school has an excellent reputation. The staff seems to be the most wonderful, friendly people alive, minus one of the receptionists... She seems a little snooty... Maybe I can change her? Bwahahaha! The atmosphere is the best and the people there are amazing (I think I already said that, but they really are! ☺).

The first night was a little nerve-wracking. I usually don't get very nervous about meeting new people and whatnot, but my nerves definitely got a hold of me last night. Only three cosmetology students were enrolled at the time of orientation, so I was already confused on how the class situation was going to be. I mean, a class of only three students? I got to the school with only five minutes to spare because I felt the need to spend too much time with Jonathan before I left since he got home almost three hours later than usual since he has to replace a mechanic for the next week. There were four of us in the waiting area, so we got an extra student! Robyn (one of the receptionist, not the snoot. =P) took us to our classroom and there were seven others in there. So we actually have 11 students. Awesome! Then I find out that they're not new students, they started in May. So I got even more confused about the teaching arrangement. I asked Kimberly, one of the older students who actually worked with one of Jonathan's coworkers for quite a few years, and she tells me that they actually took a different class when they started in May, which is supposed to be the class after this one. So far I'm definitely not digging their scheduling/teaching situation, but we'll see how it all works out.

Class started with covering all the legal mumbo-jumbo required by the state and THREE PAGES on attitude! Poems, book excerpts, definitions, everything attitude. I get it already! Sheesh! That took up most of the night. We have not yet gotten our kits yet, but supposed to tonight. They have started a new rule with the kits too. Used to be that you could take your kits home with you the day/night you got them, but now, they have to stay at the school for 30 days before you can. Supposedly it's because of all the people they have that drop before the 30 days when the school gets their money and then the students are not returning their kits, so they're basically stealing from the school. Kinda crappy, but it is what it is.

There are two men in our class of 11. One is Vietnamese, a little difficult to understand, but super nice and rumor has it, great with hair. The other is a tall black man who seems to be rather quiet. He has two daughters (I think?) and is a single father. The women are hilarious and I love every one of them already. We laughed ALL. NIGHT. LONG. It was really great! I can only imagine some of the conversations we'll have. My instructor is a real hoot too. I think I'm going to enjoy this!

With the remaining time we learned to do pin curls. I'm loving this hands-on stuff!☺It's a crazy process that involves LOADS of hair gel and no slip grip fingertips! I'll definitely post pictures when I get good at it! Tee-hee. Since the school does not have a janitorial staff, we have to use the remainder of our time to clean the building. The men usually take out the trash and clean the restrooms while the women sweep and mop the classrooms and the salon and basically any 'housekeeping'. Not as bad as it sounds. Really.

Thus ended my first night in class.

─Jaclyn─

Life Altering Decisions

We all make decisions, some are good and some are bad. Many are quick and some are thought out. Some of us even make decisions not to make decisions. Some decisions affect others, well I should say that most decisions affect others in one way or another. Some decisions are for a lifetime others are daily and minor (learning decisions). Other decisions affect our character (moral decisions). When we are young, we tend to give little thought to the decisions we make and how they will affect the rest of our life. Unfortunately, a lot of kids take the "easy" route and make decisions that cost us a lot as we get older.

Recently I made a life changing decision. I have chosen to go to cosmetology school. Those that I have mentioned it to are instantly asking me if I'm crazy, why did you do that after a year of nursing school? or they're telling me I am finally on the right track!

So... Am I crazy? I've been told before, so... maybe I am.

Why, after a whole year of nursing school? As a child, into my teens and even my adulthood, I wanted to be an OBGYN. THAT to me, is definitely my dream job. However, having a family, I see it as an unrealistic goal. There is SO much schooling involved, as well as internships and residency. I couldn't be away from my family for that long and be happy for the rest of my life with so much stress, both work and family related. So I decided to attend nursing school. I figured it would be the closest to being an OBGYN that I could get. And I was so excited. I had plans for obtaining my masters and becoming an FNP (family nurse practitioner) and way into the future opening my own practice. And the money wasn't bad either. But the more I thought about it and talked about it, the more unsure I was of that decision and the more I started thinking about only the money. I didn't want to just settle for something, because I would not reach my goal of being an OBGYN. I definitely didn't want to invest so much time and money into something for only the money and a life without happiness... (I sound like I'm rambling a lot here.)

I have always cut people's hair. I wasn't always good, but I learned to be good at it. I started having friends ask me to cut their hair, color their hair and do their nails and makeup. I LOVE IT! I am such a girly girl and it makes me happy making people feel good about themselves and feel beautiful. Jonathan told me more than once that he noticed how much I "light up" when I talk about cosmetology school and how I seemed unsure when I talked about nursing school. He was right, I started noticing it too. A family friend has told me for almost as long as I've known her that I was thinking about the wrong profession, that nursing wasn't me. She was also right. I just had to learn for myself.

I don't regret for one second attending nursing school for a year. I made some great friends along the way. I learned a lot about microbiology, and it has turned me into somewhat of a germ freak Lol. I learned to try not to stress so much and just go with the flow a little bit. I learned I am an over studier (Is that even a word?). And I learned to never second guess myself, especially on a test. Every damn time I did, and I changed my answer it was ALWAYS right the FIRST time! I wanted to pull my hair out over that every time. But I learned and it worked when I kept my first answers. I learned SO MUCH about myself, about what I wanted in life, what I wanted for my family, and what was best for me. THAT to me was the best part of nursing school.

Last night I had orientation and I get more and more excited all the time. My first class is Tuesday night. I CAN'T WAIT!!! The only downfall is that because I'll be taking night classes, it will extend the length of schooling by seven months. I will attend my last class on December 24th of 2011. I also have class on Saturday mornings 8:30am-2:30pm. BLEH! But it's going to be so worth it! :)

I'm almost sure I'll invite you along for a ride in a blog or two and you might get tired of hearing me talk about cosmetology so often. So I'll start by apologizing now. SORRY! =Þ

I am so thankful for all of the support I have been given. I am most thankful for my husband. For sticking with me through thick and thin, and for giving the most and best support that even Victoria Secret would be jealous of.

Wish me luck along the way! I love you all!

Jaclyn

The Houdini Hamster

This morning Jonathan took the hamsters out of their cages and let them run around in their balls for a little exercise time. Princess was put in her cage after a short period, mostly because she just sits still in a dark area to escape the kids. They love to chase their balls around the house and alter their paths.

The girls went to their room, Joseph sat on the couch to watch daddy play his game and we let Tinkerbell run around some more forgot about Tinkerbell still being in her ball. About 30 minutes later I ask if she's still in her ball. Jonathan says "Oh yeah!" walks down the hallway, grabs her ball and Tinkerbell is MIA. AHHH!!! Instant freak out session takes place.

We found her rather quickly in the laundry room behind the washer and dryer. After about five minutes of trying to get her to come in our general direction, we were able to get her back into her cage! Whew!

Hopefully the remainder of the day is not as frantic.

Jaclyn & Jonathan

Look Out First Grade!

If you read my blog about Joseph's first day of kindergarten, you’ll see how emotionally devastating that day was for me as a mother having to let go of her baby! However, I made it through the day with relative ease.

But, if I thought the FIRST day of kindergarten was hard, I wasn’t prepared for the LAST day and kindergarten graduation. First of all, I’m convinced the only reason for a KINDERGARTEN graduation is to send parents into total fits of nostalgia and emotion overload. At least that’s what it did to me! For weeks leading up to the event, I was feeling that tinge of sadness. The five kindergarten classes were preparing a musical production before the actual graduation ceremony. That ceremony came complete with a processional and individual “diploma” presentations! Everyday Joseph grew more and more excited about the BIG DAY. I, on the other hand, grew increasingly sad that time had passed so quickly and my little big boy was growing up so fast!

The morning of the graduation, Joseph got on the bus and headed to school. Just going through that motion with my kindergartner for the last time secretly overwhelmed me. As I waved goodbye, tears welled in my eyes. I think as I get older, I’m either getting more emotional or more hormonal! ;) I was horrified by my emotions. I thought if I’m already blubbering like this now, there’s no hope for me at the graduation ceremony.

When Jonathan, myself and Papa arrived later for the festivities, I thought I made a mistake leaving my tissue in my purse in the van. Amazingly I made it through the entire event tear-free! I consider that a feat when I remember how incredible he was during the songs and poem recitals. They sang and recited their poems with such precision , it was awe-inspiring.

So my little big boy has moved from kindergarten to THE WHOLE summer with ME! And then first grade in August... ... *sigh* I will cherish this short time with him while I can.

Isn't it neat to see how much they change in less than a year in school?!

Jaclyn & Jonathan