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10 Happiest Countries: Not the USA

May 9, 2009 By 3 Comments
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I read the following article about the 10 happiest nations to live in.  I was in no way to see that the great United States of America ddid NOT make the list.  I think that it falls back to the great American dream.  It is in Americans blood to work too hard, for too many hours.  I think that it started with our ansestors that came here from all of the various other nations.  They came here to live a dream.  Many of them failed but the ones who really made it worked and worked hard.

So here we are a nation of unhappy people so that we can struggle to live the dream.  The trouble becomes that as we are trying to reach the dream we forget to enjoy where we are.  We do not look around us and just think that we are blessed.  We tend to want more and more.  Perhaps it is because we are a society driven by money.  Perhaps because all of us who work so hard see the people who are profiting off of our work and think that we could achieve such greatness.  The trouble often becomes that we are just the worker bees.  We forget that we are here with other purposes.

I know that there are so many of us who want the new car, the house, 2.5 kids and a dog.  The trouble comes in that none of these things are making us happy.  We do not have any time to enjoy any of it because we are struggling to hold on to it all.  I think that it is really a sad day when we cannot enjoy our lives.  I know that many people are currently out of work and feel so depressed.  We as Americans have tied our entire worth as a person to our current job and the salary that comes with it.  This makes it life shattering when that job is taken away!

I also think that it makes it hard as a stay at home parent.   I know that each day I look at what purpose I have.  I think that my children have had some benefits to my staying home.  The trouble comes when people talk to me about what I do.  I am judged based on my lack of making money and my lack of working.  There are people who look down on me.  There are people who think that they are better then me because they have a job.  It is a constant struggle for me to stay at home.  It means that Rob has to work 2 jobs to make ends meet.  The trouble comes with my identity in this society.  I am viewed as less.  I am viewed as uneducated.  I am viewed as lazy.  The trouble is that I am rather educated.  I even finished college in the amount of years that you are supposed to!  I am not less and I would love to have a lazy day!

I know I am babbling but perhaps this is why we as Americans are not able to be happier.  I am not happy because I know that others think badly of me.  The people working their tails off are not happy because they are too tired to know what happy is and the people who are now jobless and homeless are feeling like there is nothing to be happy about.

The thing is that happiness comes from within.  I think that the more we act happy and really think about being happy the happier we will be.  Trust me I am not one of thos happy go luck people.  I have actually struggled with unhappiness many times in my life.  I just think perhaps the greatest nation in the world would be much happier if we all tried a little harder and worked a little less.

Becca

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Big Brother: Lojacking the Kids?

April 20, 2009 By 7 Comments
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I was out at garage sales this weekend and over heard the oddest conversation.  I did not chime in at the time because it was not my conversation but as I walked away I was appalled!  There were two women at this garage sale who were discussing lo-jacking their kids in case anyone took them.  I could not believe what I was hearing.  Were they kidding me?  Since when do we keep our children “safe” by taking their rights away?  Since when do we treat our kids the same way we treat criminals.  I just could not believe it.

The first thing that came to my mind is that most of the time kids are taken by people they know.  It is not as common that a person drives by and offers them candy.  Most of the time it is a neighbor, a friend or a parent whom you are acquainted.

Another thing that popped in my mind was that cell phones, which a lot of kids have, contain GPS.  This means that as long as they are out and about with their phone they would be findable.

I just think that we have all become far too paranoid.  Why is it that we as Americans have let fear take over.  Why is it that we no longer think that anything is safe?  I just think that kids should be kids.  How would you have reacted if your mother and father sat you down and lo-jacked you?  I am not sure that any of us would be happy.  Perhaps they should have a leash.  Perhaps we should microchip them like we do our pets.  Perhaps they should have a bar code installed at birth. When is it too much?  When will we as Americans stop giving up our freedoms in order to feel safer?

I do not know about you but I ould never lo-jack my kids.  I will let my kids play outside because as I said in “outside will get you” kids are better off playing without me breathing down their necks.  I will never have my kids be able to be tracked that easy.  I want you all to take a few moments to look back at how you grew up.  Now look at what we as a generation have let the fear driven country do to the quality of our children’s lives.  I think that we have to loose the fear and live a little.  Most of all I think that we have to stop letting fear take the place of our rights as Americans.  Over the past 10 years we have lost a lot of our freedom in the name of terrorism.  Not for nothing but I am pretty sure that the terrorists are not going to come and take my kids.  I am pretty sure that they will not bomb my house and I am pretty sure that if they did they would bring Abigail back right away!  She would fight them and be too much of a problem.  At what point is enough enough?

Becca

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Focus on America

March 7, 2009 By 14 Comments
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I was reading an article on http://deidrepannu.wordpress.com/ today and am feeling quite impassioned.  This article is about focusing money and people in the Congo.  I understand that we are a nation that has always aided other nations.  I get that and I think that it is important.  I just think that we could focus on us for a while.

I look at our nation as a mother.  We are frequently trying to better other nations, other women and make the world a better place.  We are often being a mother to the world and some parts of the world are greatful.  The trouble is that just as a mother it has impacted the mother in a negative way.  I know that you know what I am talking about.  I am talking about the mother who takes care of her kids and forgets herself.  The mother who has not had her hair cut in years.  The mother who is wearing rags so that her children can be dressed to the nines!  The mother who has given up everything for her children.  This is America!

I just think that for a while we need to come back and think about America.  We need to help the women right here in America.  We need to assure that all of the people of this great nation are fed!  There are so many issues here in America that need attention!  I think that with our current economic state the we need to worry about our mother America!  I know that there are a lot of issues in the world that need addressing.  The trouble is that noone is going to come to this mothers aid.  We need to assure that this mother starts to take care of itself.  If this mother does not take care of itself it will fail just as any other mothers.

I am hoping that I am making my point clear.  It is not that I do not think that we should help other nations.  I just do not feel that that help should come at the expence of the people of this great nation.  There are so many people out of a job right now, there are so many people who have no extra money for food right now, there are so many people who are loosing their homes!  Come on mother America and take care of yourself!

Becca

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We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration

January 18, 2009 By 1 Comment
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Tonight on HBO

I know that this is not the post that I would typically choose.  I am so impressed by this celebration.  It has featured so many famous people not only in the Hollywood realm but others as well.  I watched Martin Luther King III speak briefly and was moved.  I am not sure it was his words that moved me the most.  I had thought to myself how far this nation has come in such a short amount of time!  I thought of the pride that Dr. Martin Luther King would have been feeling on Tuesday if he had lived to see it.  It brings tears to my eyes.

Other things being discussed were about the great depression.  I know that many people are struggling right now and that is why now more then ever we need to be one.  We are coming together for new hope, new goals and a breath of fresh air.  I think that we need to be sure not to put too much on Obama.  Rome was not built in a day and all of the world problems will not be fixed in the next 4 years.  Perhaps though if we all vow to be more involved we can fix it and build it all quicker.  We are after all Americans!  We through out history have been able to overcome and strive for change time and time again.  It seems to me that the troubles are not more complex although the answers are.  If we step back and learn from history we will be able to achieve great things because “We are one”.

In my mind is also the Bush family.  Do not misunderstand I think that George W. has done this nation and its people a great disservice in his presidency.  He is perhaps one of the worst presidents ever.  You have to take a step back though and look at what he had to deal with and how hind sight is 20/20.   I think that George W. Bush must be feeling like he has failed, like he is unloved by this nation and fearing what the history books will say about him.  I tend to get emotional about how these families are feeling in this much honored process.  So George W. and family thanks for the sacrifices your family made.  I wish it had been worth it for all of you.

As for the Obama family you are in my prayers!  You are about to be tested like never before.  Race is still something that some people look at, hate is still prevalents and hope could  be crushed.  I ask you a few things as a woman, as a mother and as an American.  Please be honest and forthright.  So many people have their eyes on your family right now.  So many will judge and hate.  Show us all how “we are one”.  Make the people of this nation whole again and bring peace to our hearts.  I know it is a big order but it is what we are looking for and I am honored to see that we have this time elected a leader.

“We are one” says it all and I know we will all be watching on Tuesday.  I will keep you all in my prayers.  Here is to the begining of that new hope!

Becca

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53 Days Until Christmas

November 5, 2008 By 7 Comments
Father Christmas // Santa Claus // Père Noël

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Holiday Commercials

Well here we are again. The day after Halloween and the Christmas Ads began. It really is amazing how this all works. What happened to Turkey Day? Where is Thanksgiving? If we left it all up to the retailers in the United States they would start advertising for Christmas in July. They create such a sense of urgency that I have to wonder who really falls for it.

Before Halloween had arrived Kmart had advertisments out to go do your holiday layaway. While I was thinking that this was a little early I could understand it. By laying away you pay a little as you go and you are assured the items that you picked. You can add to it at any time or take away from it. It is a great way to spend this year without using plastic. I know that Wal-Mart did away with their layaway a few years back so it is an advantage Kmart has this year. The question comes with the timing. Was it too early for people to start thinking about it or did they think that Kmart was right and they rushed out and shopped? I would love to know.

So, where the possibility of understanding was there for Kmart, I am hard pressed to know why there are now so many other commercials out there already for the holidays? Do the advertisers really think that people are that stupid? Do they really think that we are going to feel rushed into shopping for some reason? We have 53 days left until Christmas Day, so what is the rush?

I will tell you what I think that the rush is. People have not been spending. Third quarter profits were downs and all of these companies need to do something QUICK. Between the stock market, political uncertainty and a whole host of other social issues the holiday season may very well be the one thing that could save the commercialised way of life we all know and love.

So what is a person to do? I say go out and shop for what you need. Save the holiday shopping for a few weeks and do not feel pressured. Until Santa Clause comes rolling down the 34th Street, in his float, in the Macy’s Day Parade; it is not time to think about Christmas! I am not denying that it is coming at us quickly. I am simply saying do not forget to enjoy Fall, the harvest and all that Thanksgiving has to offer for you and your family!

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How To Win The Battle At Bedtime

August 7, 2008 By Leave a Comment

How To Win The Battle At Bedtime

Is everyday a battle at bedtime? I know in our house it is often the worst time of day! I want to pull out my hair and start screaming, but that does not work either. Killing them is not

an option, screaming doesn’t work and ignoring it makes it worse. So what is a frantic mother to do? Now that you know that you are not alone we can tackle the problem. Here are 10 quick tips to try tonight to make your night a smoother, happier one:

1. Put your kids to bed at the same time every night. No exceptions!

2. Have an established routine. We eat dinner, start the bath, read a book and sing one song to each of the girls. They know what is next and after a while they do not ask for more. Develop a routine that works for you. Perhaps a song or a family game. Something quite is best. I would not recommend TV or video games because these tend to stimulate kids and make bedtime more difficult.

3. If your child comes out of their room simply walk them back to bed and leave. Do not talk to them or interact with them. This will show them that you mean business and reduce the number of times that they come out.

4. Make sure that they have everything they need to be comfortable. This means their glass of water, the night light on, their special blankie and anything else they will get out of bed for. Assure that these things are done before entering into the room.

5. NEVER let them sleep in your bed! It breaks the routine and gives them excuses. It also means that you and your spouse can have a bed to yourselves!

6. Make a reward chart. We have a chart on Abigail and Emma’s doors. Every night they go to bed on time they get a sticker. After 30 stickers they can pick a prize.

7. Avoid beverages with caffeine after 6pm. These will not only keep your little one wired but will also give them a bladder excuse to get out of bed!

8. Give them a few warnings. If bed time is at 8 tell them at 7:45 that they have 15 more minutes. Then 10 more minutes and then 5 more minutes. This helps children who have trouble transitioning.

9. Exercise is something that makes kids tired at the end of the day! Run them until they cannot run anymore. Play a family game of outdoor fun a few hours before bed. Tag, volleyball, a family walk and bike riding are just a few ideas.

10. Do not linger. Leave your child’s room while they are still awake. That will help them to be able to calm themselves and learn to go to sleep without your help.

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