no, this is not to be put to a tune of the 12 days of Christmas, although later a song may be written.
1. I received my sweet 2 year old coming in on Christmas morning saying, " I am so thankful for YOU."
2. I received 2 middle/high school friends (and my sister in law) eating lunch with me (about the most fun I've had in a while)
3. i received 3 sets of live animals for my children... hmmm.
4. I received my 4 year old waking up at 4 am on Christmas day, so she could have 4 hours of puking and pooping her guts out, resulting in only 4 hours of sleep for me .
5. I received 5 sets of wienie roasters... don't know quite what I think of that.
6. I received my 5 (well 3 plus 2 cousins) children and my hubby at the mall playground, insisting on riding the train, terrorizing the kids, and wearing me out. (on a side note: at lunch in the food court we went to sit at a table, when a stranger felt the need to sit right in the middle of our group just as we sat, and she refused to get back up... hope she enjoyed lunch with us)
7. I received 7 kids who created pure chaos as they ripped apart presents, traded, took, and disappeared all before brunch... I kinda blacked out , don't remember much after that.
8. I received 8 adults at the house that sat in awe at said pure chaos.
9. I received 9 points in a 10pt game of catan, waiting one turn away from winning before my brother pulled the win out of his rear.
10.I played 10 types of games: if you include manipulation, the silent game, trivia, catan etc....
11. I probably had 11 different types of european cookies, pb cookies, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, spiced pecans, cake, and more fatty things
12. i spent 12 hours unpacking, finding homes, and washing laundry when we were all done.
Thank you for enjoying my 12 days of Christmas gifts.All in all , a VERY interesting Christmas and thank you to everyone who loved on me w/ cards, pics, hellos. Thank you to my family of 15 for the dozen blankets, jackets, socks and other things that I'll most likely use every day. Thank you for the 18 days of the jesse tree that I actually made it through. And the easel that is proving to be a hazzard for both me and the children as they color EVERYTHING. Merry christ-mas to all and to all a good year.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
My first call to the BBB
So, I love Christ-mas, but like everyone else, sometimes I get bogged down with THINGS. This Christ-mas is different. I decided that I WILL NOT get frustrated. And it's worked well. We've gone to parties, bought the presents, and if I don't go to 1 or 2, and if all the decor doesn't go out this year, it's been all good. My husband has even pointed out that my laissez faire attitude is kinda scaring him.
All went well til the beginning of December! I had 3 or 4 jobs lined up when my sewing machine punched a hole in 2 shirts. BACKSTORY: I took my machine to get tuned in April, after a month (they said 7-10 days) I got it back and it was still LOUD, but I didn't get it back in time to be under warranty. Everything was smooth and then this happened... I decided that I wOULD not use them again, but low and behold, they are the ONLY store in Charleston that repairs my sewing machine... I must return after we fought for weeks at easter.
So i turned in my machine begrudgingly.
How long will this take, sir.
7-10 days at the longest...
I call 2 and half weeks later (I gave them the benefit of the doubt with business days)
Lady, I'm working on it right now. (convenient). I should be done with it within the hour but I'll call you. (time check: 10AM)
I show up at 3pm later that afternoon, and the first thing he says is, "I TOLD you, I'd call you" (this doesn't bode well) I told him this is my ONLY time I'd be in Mt. P before Christmas, so I'd come back maybe around 5:30 (time check: 3pm).
He assured me that of course he'd be open and ready for me. I came back at 515 and the store was locked tight with the lights off... REALLY?????? I'm so livid, I contemplated egging the store, but too many cops present.
It is now 5 days later; surely, my machine is done, it was supposed to be done by 11am last wednesday... so I go in, telling my kids to wait in the car (because it'd be safer).
Hello, my name is Ali Campbell, I'm here to pick up my machine.
Did the man call you?
No, but I figured he said he'd have it ready and it's 5 days later, surely it's done... pause...
the man comes in and points out that it's not ready, that he may even have to order a part if he can't get it to work soon...well, I'm done!
Sir, can I just get my machine back, I've waited a month and Christmas is in 5 days. I still have presents to make, and I just don't want my machine here anymore.
Without thinking, he responds," no."
Excuse me?
" it's in pieces on my bench and I won't be responsible if you lose em or claim i broke them, so no I won't give it back"
pause (as I give the evil eye)
and what does he say? Something to the point of, " That's life. Sometimes we just don't get things back when we want them."
Now, If anyone has known me for longer than a day, you'd know that my emotions determine a large part of what comes out of my mouth, but I was literally so flabberghasted that I couldn't TALK. I just said, bye and walked out...
So, I'm 30, and now for the first time i'll be calling the Better Business Bureau because this is ridiculous. And if you're near fashion fabrics on coleman, please don't go to them for business...
oh added bonus, he told me that (although he had to order a part and it was just sitting in pieces on his bench) he could probably get it fixed by this afternoon. I'll take that bet!
All went well til the beginning of December! I had 3 or 4 jobs lined up when my sewing machine punched a hole in 2 shirts. BACKSTORY: I took my machine to get tuned in April, after a month (they said 7-10 days) I got it back and it was still LOUD, but I didn't get it back in time to be under warranty. Everything was smooth and then this happened... I decided that I wOULD not use them again, but low and behold, they are the ONLY store in Charleston that repairs my sewing machine... I must return after we fought for weeks at easter.
So i turned in my machine begrudgingly.
How long will this take, sir.
7-10 days at the longest...
I call 2 and half weeks later (I gave them the benefit of the doubt with business days)
Lady, I'm working on it right now. (convenient). I should be done with it within the hour but I'll call you. (time check: 10AM)
I show up at 3pm later that afternoon, and the first thing he says is, "I TOLD you, I'd call you" (this doesn't bode well) I told him this is my ONLY time I'd be in Mt. P before Christmas, so I'd come back maybe around 5:30 (time check: 3pm).
He assured me that of course he'd be open and ready for me. I came back at 515 and the store was locked tight with the lights off... REALLY?????? I'm so livid, I contemplated egging the store, but too many cops present.
It is now 5 days later; surely, my machine is done, it was supposed to be done by 11am last wednesday... so I go in, telling my kids to wait in the car (because it'd be safer).
Hello, my name is Ali Campbell, I'm here to pick up my machine.
Did the man call you?
No, but I figured he said he'd have it ready and it's 5 days later, surely it's done... pause...
the man comes in and points out that it's not ready, that he may even have to order a part if he can't get it to work soon...well, I'm done!
Sir, can I just get my machine back, I've waited a month and Christmas is in 5 days. I still have presents to make, and I just don't want my machine here anymore.
Without thinking, he responds," no."
Excuse me?
" it's in pieces on my bench and I won't be responsible if you lose em or claim i broke them, so no I won't give it back"
pause (as I give the evil eye)
and what does he say? Something to the point of, " That's life. Sometimes we just don't get things back when we want them."
Now, If anyone has known me for longer than a day, you'd know that my emotions determine a large part of what comes out of my mouth, but I was literally so flabberghasted that I couldn't TALK. I just said, bye and walked out...
So, I'm 30, and now for the first time i'll be calling the Better Business Bureau because this is ridiculous. And if you're near fashion fabrics on coleman, please don't go to them for business...
oh added bonus, he told me that (although he had to order a part and it was just sitting in pieces on his bench) he could probably get it fixed by this afternoon. I'll take that bet!
Friday, November 19, 2010
My website
My kids and I always love to play what would you do... we've done all sorts of things like "what would you do with a million dollars" "how would we bring in customers if we owned a subway", but then i asked myself "what would I do if I could make my own website".
I'm dying to make a website that I could ask questions about race, religion, or even how to work technology without people thinking i'm hinting at something and therefore being a bigot, insensitive, or just dumb. I would but my friends are too passionate about what they believe. Even if I could ask the question without anyone judging me, everyone who would respond, would then be judged. come on it's true!
The problem is some of these questions are on everyone's mind. How am I supposed to understand YOU when "I should already know that" or "you should not ask things like that"... And then what about things that are subjective... I don't know anyone who can be objective. Well, maybe you can :)
I mean, I'm 30, shouldn't I be able to find out things like this. I guess only 80 year olds can get away with saying insensitive things and people humor them.
I'm dying to make a website that I could ask questions about race, religion, or even how to work technology without people thinking i'm hinting at something and therefore being a bigot, insensitive, or just dumb. I would but my friends are too passionate about what they believe. Even if I could ask the question without anyone judging me, everyone who would respond, would then be judged. come on it's true!
The problem is some of these questions are on everyone's mind. How am I supposed to understand YOU when "I should already know that" or "you should not ask things like that"... And then what about things that are subjective... I don't know anyone who can be objective. Well, maybe you can :)
I mean, I'm 30, shouldn't I be able to find out things like this. I guess only 80 year olds can get away with saying insensitive things and people humor them.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
For those who need support parenting.
Here's the backstory. two days ago we sat down to potroast and veggies for dinner. We don't have it very often and to me it's a special meal. Everyone was eating just fine when Ella decided that she couldn't (ok wouldn't) eat anymore. It would have been ok if she had eaten more than 1 bite. Now, we've been struggling a lot lately to get her to eat and with her ballet performance coming up, she's dancing a few hours each day. She needs food to keep up. She's eating a small carb breakfast, giving away her lunch, and then refusing dinner (while asking for candy). I do not blame her ballet because NONE of them are like this.
Johnny decided that she wasn't getting up from the table til she had eaten something. I left to go out while Johnny put them to bed, and as the story goes, he went to put zoe/ada in the bath when the fight began. Ella threw her plate of food across the floor.
Now, the child better be glad that I wasn't home, but Johnny took care of it as well as he thought fit. After a lot of tears and discipline, Johnny called me saying she felt SUPERBAD and she wasn't allowed TV for the rest of the week and sent to bed. Hmmmm.... real bad? well, since she dances every day but tuesday this week, I'm going to up the anty.
She came home yesterday from school and I told her nothing with a screen. No TV, no computer, no video games. And we've had some scary vans in the neighborhood so no roaming looking for friends.
I love Ella. She would rather be bored than think about the problem. My child IS strongwilled. I dont know who she thinks she might be punishing by just sitting in one spot for EVER, but something she needs to deal with. I tried to help her, she said she'd rather complain about how she's just sitting there doing nothing... ok.
After she got angry pointing out "if I had known that my punishment was going to be so bad, I would have eaten" I told her to remember that for dinner. She was great for the rest of the evening, she helped out, and listened, and used her manners.
Then Round 2. We sat down with spaghetti and bread. she knew ahead of time what she had to eat. I warned her before she ate her bread that if she ate her bread and then claimed to not be hungry so she didn't have to eat dinner, that we would repeat last night so to think carefully if she'd be able to eat it all, and maybe eat her pasta first. She said ok and seemed to be doing ok.
Til johnny got home. I told him the situation before I had to leave, and I heard as I left "I'm not hungry anymore"... ooch. Johnny said after a couple hours of battling, he said, "you know I felt bad for your yesterday. You really seemed sorry and crying, and I expected you to not lie to me anymore" Her response: "I never said i wouldn't lie to you again. It's your problem that you believed that, and I'll do it again"
pause for dramatic thought affect. She wrote mean notes on her door and wouldn't talk to johnny, and for the first time woke up with the grudge still. I tried to talk to her, but you could hear the bitterness in her talking. How painful. for all of us. And this reminds me of what I was teaching on Sunday to the youth group.
Ephesians 2: 1-8"
" As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and Satan... gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
" but because of his great love for us , God , who is rich in mercy made us alive with christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved... [he did this] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by woks, so that no one can boast"
Sometimes I think I'm so good and i have always made great decisions and what is right, but even a 7 year old can be sinful. As a 30 year old I am SO dirty with the pains i've caused others (transgressions) and the pains I've caused God (sins) that I really am by nature an object of wrath, and shouldn't be allowed out into the general public.
THank you God for your grace when I don't want to share it. I pray that Ella sees one day your incomparable riches of your grace expressed in kindness. Until then, I'll try to remember what you've done for me and act accordingly because the next verse says
" For we are God's workmanship, created in christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"... chapter 1 reminds me that you fulfill all things in every way, so whether I "fail" or not, your plan will be accomplished, but i'm hoping to be a help.
So remember parents: we can be down on our kids, we can be down on ourselves, but there is redemption for every person: WHOLLY.
Johnny decided that she wasn't getting up from the table til she had eaten something. I left to go out while Johnny put them to bed, and as the story goes, he went to put zoe/ada in the bath when the fight began. Ella threw her plate of food across the floor.
Now, the child better be glad that I wasn't home, but Johnny took care of it as well as he thought fit. After a lot of tears and discipline, Johnny called me saying she felt SUPERBAD and she wasn't allowed TV for the rest of the week and sent to bed. Hmmmm.... real bad? well, since she dances every day but tuesday this week, I'm going to up the anty.
She came home yesterday from school and I told her nothing with a screen. No TV, no computer, no video games. And we've had some scary vans in the neighborhood so no roaming looking for friends.
I love Ella. She would rather be bored than think about the problem. My child IS strongwilled. I dont know who she thinks she might be punishing by just sitting in one spot for EVER, but something she needs to deal with. I tried to help her, she said she'd rather complain about how she's just sitting there doing nothing... ok.
After she got angry pointing out "if I had known that my punishment was going to be so bad, I would have eaten" I told her to remember that for dinner. She was great for the rest of the evening, she helped out, and listened, and used her manners.
Then Round 2. We sat down with spaghetti and bread. she knew ahead of time what she had to eat. I warned her before she ate her bread that if she ate her bread and then claimed to not be hungry so she didn't have to eat dinner, that we would repeat last night so to think carefully if she'd be able to eat it all, and maybe eat her pasta first. She said ok and seemed to be doing ok.
Til johnny got home. I told him the situation before I had to leave, and I heard as I left "I'm not hungry anymore"... ooch. Johnny said after a couple hours of battling, he said, "you know I felt bad for your yesterday. You really seemed sorry and crying, and I expected you to not lie to me anymore" Her response: "I never said i wouldn't lie to you again. It's your problem that you believed that, and I'll do it again"
pause for dramatic thought affect. She wrote mean notes on her door and wouldn't talk to johnny, and for the first time woke up with the grudge still. I tried to talk to her, but you could hear the bitterness in her talking. How painful. for all of us. And this reminds me of what I was teaching on Sunday to the youth group.
Ephesians 2: 1-8"
" As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and Satan... gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
" but because of his great love for us , God , who is rich in mercy made us alive with christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved... [he did this] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by woks, so that no one can boast"
Sometimes I think I'm so good and i have always made great decisions and what is right, but even a 7 year old can be sinful. As a 30 year old I am SO dirty with the pains i've caused others (transgressions) and the pains I've caused God (sins) that I really am by nature an object of wrath, and shouldn't be allowed out into the general public.
THank you God for your grace when I don't want to share it. I pray that Ella sees one day your incomparable riches of your grace expressed in kindness. Until then, I'll try to remember what you've done for me and act accordingly because the next verse says
" For we are God's workmanship, created in christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"... chapter 1 reminds me that you fulfill all things in every way, so whether I "fail" or not, your plan will be accomplished, but i'm hoping to be a help.
So remember parents: we can be down on our kids, we can be down on ourselves, but there is redemption for every person: WHOLLY.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
working dysfunctionally
This is the name of my book I'd like to write. Yes, when you turn old (or 30) it's time to write atleast one book and think you'll actually be successful. I would like to write a book about my families. Now the name is slightly deceiving. I do'nt want to give the impression that there's something wrong with any particular member of my family, but that 1. every family is crazy and 2. craziness has to work together.
I have had friends ask for pictures of a particular house to confirm such craziness, but hey, that's offensive (darn it. wish I could; sorry :(....) The only thing that's holding me back from writing this GREAT NOVEL is well, my dysfunctional family. How can I publish stories of my childhood/adulthood without offending someone... how would you like me put something about you in a book that you thought was completely normal (it's not) and let others laugh at you.
So at first I thought I would just wait til they died... yah, I'm that sick
but then there's even repercussions from that. How do you tell someone's mom, sister etc that their relative is crazy and worth laughing at. personally I think I could just write this book about me, or maybe anonymously. I would also like to write stories from the dysfunctional families I just know. so add a story if you dare.
So, really the book is about how even such completely different families can make things work even when they come from such opposites... because frankly, I may think johnny's family is crazy, but he thinks mine is just as crazy (and secretly, we all agree).
so, if you hear a story about my "friend" you may never know who I'm talking about... maybe me, maybe my mom, maybe my mother in law... just don't tell them. ;)
I have had friends ask for pictures of a particular house to confirm such craziness, but hey, that's offensive (darn it. wish I could; sorry :(....) The only thing that's holding me back from writing this GREAT NOVEL is well, my dysfunctional family. How can I publish stories of my childhood/adulthood without offending someone... how would you like me put something about you in a book that you thought was completely normal (it's not) and let others laugh at you.
So at first I thought I would just wait til they died... yah, I'm that sick
but then there's even repercussions from that. How do you tell someone's mom, sister etc that their relative is crazy and worth laughing at. personally I think I could just write this book about me, or maybe anonymously. I would also like to write stories from the dysfunctional families I just know. so add a story if you dare.
So, really the book is about how even such completely different families can make things work even when they come from such opposites... because frankly, I may think johnny's family is crazy, but he thinks mine is just as crazy (and secretly, we all agree).
so, if you hear a story about my "friend" you may never know who I'm talking about... maybe me, maybe my mom, maybe my mother in law... just don't tell them. ;)
Thursday, October 28, 2010
fear is in the eye of the beholder
Driving through my neighborhood, there's a house that put some CRAZY things in their front yard. There are men dragging women by their hair, someone stabbing someone in the back... and when I heard about it, I was like who'd do that? When I saw it, I could tell it was teenagers...didn't look like a big deal, but then I started hearing stories of kids having nightmares looking at it.
I remember watching poltergeist when I was YOUNG... for years I struggled with whether to open or shut the closet door because I didn't know whether I wanted to see it coming, or try to shut it out for as long as possible.
I still find myself jumping into bed when it's dark in the room so that stupid clown doesn't try to drag me under.
I'm 30 years old and I am still somewhat afraid of the dark. wow!
Did you know there is a flashlight, but no such thing as a flashdark?
I think just about ANYONE who goes into true and utter darkness (like those caves) has an instant fear when the lights go out. I'm pretty sure Gollum was so jumpy in the Lord of the Rings because of the darkness that was surrounding him for so many years.
The funny thing: people get used to the dark...
I may hate the dark, but after years of being married, I can now admit that I can go to the bathroom without turning on a light... not comfortably, but done.
How sad that my children still scream when I enter the party store, but I didn't even notice the gruesome scene at the door. How sad that I couldn't see the harm in the dumb things teens put up in their yard, but a lot of kids were having nightmares... I've gotten used to it.
How many other things am I used to?
How many years ago was it taboo to get pregnant in school, but now we just kinda shrug when the teens let us know they can't remember who knocked them up.
And something that makes me cringe, may make you kinda giggle. Fear is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
things that I am terrified of: divorce, abuse, abortion, and denial... that last one sounds silly. but what if you knew the truth, and someone could repeat it back to you, but then deny it... what if I said, "man I hate it when someone _____________," and you're like , "oh yah me too!" but then when I pointed out, "uh that's what you're doing" you give an excuse why it's ok for you... i had a friend who once said, " Iwould never be friends with someone who loved Jesus", and I was like, "oh, you mean me" and they said, "well, you're the exception." I'm kinda afraid of that... what does that say about me... is that good or bad for Jesus? Does that mean you think I 'm a poser... or what?
So what are you afraid of that's silly? what are you not afraid of that maybe you should be? Do you still hop 4 feet into your bed.... are you allowing your children to watch inappropriate tv because it doesn't scare you anymore? Time to reevaluate our fears... just in light of halloween :)
I remember watching poltergeist when I was YOUNG... for years I struggled with whether to open or shut the closet door because I didn't know whether I wanted to see it coming, or try to shut it out for as long as possible.
I still find myself jumping into bed when it's dark in the room so that stupid clown doesn't try to drag me under.
I'm 30 years old and I am still somewhat afraid of the dark. wow!
Did you know there is a flashlight, but no such thing as a flashdark?
I think just about ANYONE who goes into true and utter darkness (like those caves) has an instant fear when the lights go out. I'm pretty sure Gollum was so jumpy in the Lord of the Rings because of the darkness that was surrounding him for so many years.
The funny thing: people get used to the dark...
I may hate the dark, but after years of being married, I can now admit that I can go to the bathroom without turning on a light... not comfortably, but done.
How sad that my children still scream when I enter the party store, but I didn't even notice the gruesome scene at the door. How sad that I couldn't see the harm in the dumb things teens put up in their yard, but a lot of kids were having nightmares... I've gotten used to it.
How many other things am I used to?
How many years ago was it taboo to get pregnant in school, but now we just kinda shrug when the teens let us know they can't remember who knocked them up.
And something that makes me cringe, may make you kinda giggle. Fear is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
things that I am terrified of: divorce, abuse, abortion, and denial... that last one sounds silly. but what if you knew the truth, and someone could repeat it back to you, but then deny it... what if I said, "man I hate it when someone _____________," and you're like , "oh yah me too!" but then when I pointed out, "uh that's what you're doing" you give an excuse why it's ok for you... i had a friend who once said, " Iwould never be friends with someone who loved Jesus", and I was like, "oh, you mean me" and they said, "well, you're the exception." I'm kinda afraid of that... what does that say about me... is that good or bad for Jesus? Does that mean you think I 'm a poser... or what?
So what are you afraid of that's silly? what are you not afraid of that maybe you should be? Do you still hop 4 feet into your bed.... are you allowing your children to watch inappropriate tv because it doesn't scare you anymore? Time to reevaluate our fears... just in light of halloween :)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
a scene from the Ali Mixer Campbell movie
I went to okeefenokee swamp last week. It was just me and zoe and ada in the car. Imagine if you will, driving down one of those highways that make you wonder every 5 minutes if you should turn around because maybe you took the wrong road and there are NO cars out there. I felt like I was in a place that either was from what's eating gilbert grape, or part twilight, and part french kiss (yes, but you'd understand if you were there).
I looked out my window and saw many abandoned farms. they had rows dug out, but over time weeds had taken over. It reminded me of Isaiah that I was studying. In chapter 5 there was a story of a vineyard, where the gardener chose the most fertile land, choicest vines, best materials and worked that vineyard, setting up permanent protection and great care. But after he planted his vines, they still made bad grapes. He had expected so much fruit that he made a winepress, but ended up with nothing, so he allowed thistles to take over and refused water on he land... all to represent God's work with the israelites and his disappointment in their lack of faith.
Why do I mention this? Doesn't happen very often that I notice and have those kind of reminders.
so I keep driving as I hear my girls wonder if we're there OVER AND OVER. I bribed, plead, I even dared zoe to close her eyes for 30 seconds because I KNEW that she would fall asleep, none to my avail. Eventually as I ignored them, I finally heard silence. I look in the rearview mirror and see both girls asleep. I turn up my 80's music and have that time... you know it; it's that time where you break out into the loudest silent dance party you can think of because you can drive in silence.
now keep in mind that it only lasted for 30 minutes... it ended with Zoe screaming because her booty hurt and she couldn't get comfy and she was tired and , and, and...
I can't take it anymore: get out! I pull over on the empty road and force my children to get out of the car and have a dance party in the middle of the road till they were too tired to stand. "No more complaining anymore, or you'll be forced to walk down the road while I drive behind you!" about 20 minutes later, I pull over to take a picture, when I notice that the cars stopping next to me are my family coming from florida... for the rest of the ride, I get to drive along with my sister, brother, the cousins and my mom... what a great ending to an ... um... interesting drive. I guess this is what happens when you're 30.
I looked out my window and saw many abandoned farms. they had rows dug out, but over time weeds had taken over. It reminded me of Isaiah that I was studying. In chapter 5 there was a story of a vineyard, where the gardener chose the most fertile land, choicest vines, best materials and worked that vineyard, setting up permanent protection and great care. But after he planted his vines, they still made bad grapes. He had expected so much fruit that he made a winepress, but ended up with nothing, so he allowed thistles to take over and refused water on he land... all to represent God's work with the israelites and his disappointment in their lack of faith.
Why do I mention this? Doesn't happen very often that I notice and have those kind of reminders.
so I keep driving as I hear my girls wonder if we're there OVER AND OVER. I bribed, plead, I even dared zoe to close her eyes for 30 seconds because I KNEW that she would fall asleep, none to my avail. Eventually as I ignored them, I finally heard silence. I look in the rearview mirror and see both girls asleep. I turn up my 80's music and have that time... you know it; it's that time where you break out into the loudest silent dance party you can think of because you can drive in silence.
now keep in mind that it only lasted for 30 minutes... it ended with Zoe screaming because her booty hurt and she couldn't get comfy and she was tired and , and, and...
I can't take it anymore: get out! I pull over on the empty road and force my children to get out of the car and have a dance party in the middle of the road till they were too tired to stand. "No more complaining anymore, or you'll be forced to walk down the road while I drive behind you!" about 20 minutes later, I pull over to take a picture, when I notice that the cars stopping next to me are my family coming from florida... for the rest of the ride, I get to drive along with my sister, brother, the cousins and my mom... what a great ending to an ... um... interesting drive. I guess this is what happens when you're 30.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
socially UN-networked
Last weekend I watched the social network (which is the story of how facebook was made). It was a very interesting movie FULL of smart alleks and I felt right at home, but one thing caught my attention. One of the first things they used to defame the maker was the relive the breakup with his girlfriend. They talked about how he was drunk and blogging and said *ahem* unflattering things about his girlfriend who broke up with him.
It made me remember one of the reasons that I didn't want to do a blog. I will UNDOUBTEDLY say something REALLY offensive to someone and regret it for the rest of my life... I mean heck, just opening my mouth, I did it today!
My only consolation is that I mud up my reputation (what reputation?) for a good reason. For instance, have you seen the billboard that has sad-faced puppies and kittens and the caption is, "they're dying for you to be responsible". I mean, COME ON, what kind of person does that to you: Side story: I actually tried to adopt a kitty from a place that will remain nameless and they actually turned me down because I wanted to take the kitty home that day!!!! So if I adopt a kitty and then I read that billboard, am I still irresponsible for not saving all of them.. there's just something wrong there, and they've lost points with me. BUT , saving puppies and kittens is a good cause... they did it in the name of saving animals.
If I offend you because I'm pro-life, or because I don't believe a person should have sex before marriage, or I'm a Christian, I'm actually not too sorry for it because it's for a good cause... I want to value ALL life, not just whales. I want my child to learn respect for themselves and the opposite sex, protect them from STD's and children when they shouldn't have to deal with that kind of responsibility. And I would definitely want all people , no matter how flawed or how people have condemned them in the past to know that God is not man, and wants to free them from the condemnation and guilt from anything they've done or thought. I want them to not die in eternal separation from the God that I love so much.
I don't want give you the impression that I don't live what I say and say what I mean... I actually would have less respect for a person who couldn't stick to what they know to be true and seek out the truth, then to agree with everyone's thoughts.
I'll end with the social network. The only thing I appreciate about the movie (well, one of them) is that his personality was consistent with the flashbacks, even those who were suing him portrayed him correctly... gives a little credibility.
It made me remember one of the reasons that I didn't want to do a blog. I will UNDOUBTEDLY say something REALLY offensive to someone and regret it for the rest of my life... I mean heck, just opening my mouth, I did it today!
My only consolation is that I mud up my reputation (what reputation?) for a good reason. For instance, have you seen the billboard that has sad-faced puppies and kittens and the caption is, "they're dying for you to be responsible". I mean, COME ON, what kind of person does that to you: Side story: I actually tried to adopt a kitty from a place that will remain nameless and they actually turned me down because I wanted to take the kitty home that day!!!! So if I adopt a kitty and then I read that billboard, am I still irresponsible for not saving all of them.. there's just something wrong there, and they've lost points with me. BUT , saving puppies and kittens is a good cause... they did it in the name of saving animals.
If I offend you because I'm pro-life, or because I don't believe a person should have sex before marriage, or I'm a Christian, I'm actually not too sorry for it because it's for a good cause... I want to value ALL life, not just whales. I want my child to learn respect for themselves and the opposite sex, protect them from STD's and children when they shouldn't have to deal with that kind of responsibility. And I would definitely want all people , no matter how flawed or how people have condemned them in the past to know that God is not man, and wants to free them from the condemnation and guilt from anything they've done or thought. I want them to not die in eternal separation from the God that I love so much.
I don't want give you the impression that I don't live what I say and say what I mean... I actually would have less respect for a person who couldn't stick to what they know to be true and seek out the truth, then to agree with everyone's thoughts.
I'll end with the social network. The only thing I appreciate about the movie (well, one of them) is that his personality was consistent with the flashbacks, even those who were suing him portrayed him correctly... gives a little credibility.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I'm the Macgyver of moms
This is probably the sickest i've been since I was pregnant with Ella. Don't get me wrong: I'm not complaining, I'm just prefacing. When I had ella, I lost 20 lbs, went the the ER and stole Zofran (it had no generic and it wasn't covered by medicaid back then). I was very preemptive with Zoe and Ada. We specifically picked insurance that covered Zofran, rationed, and dealt with the migraines. This time around I have access to all the Zofran I can handle, BUT it's not really putting a dent in this. Ok, I'm not puking but a couple times a day, but the nausea and tiredness/dizziness is rampant.
I'm planning this time around... I have to get creative. I get in my car in the morning and plan the shortest round trip. The first thing I do is look around my car for an object that I can use as a barf bag. I have yet to pull over in the drive, but it's only a matter of time. During the day I try to figure out how to cook meals without actually cooking them or go in the kitchen. I try to figure out what to do with the girls that doesn't involve me moving. I think what I can cook without ever going grocery shopping. I only have another 9 weeks and who knows what kind of resources I can come up with. So when you have a problem, yo I'll solve it. check out my hook while the dj revolves it.
I'm planning this time around... I have to get creative. I get in my car in the morning and plan the shortest round trip. The first thing I do is look around my car for an object that I can use as a barf bag. I have yet to pull over in the drive, but it's only a matter of time. During the day I try to figure out how to cook meals without actually cooking them or go in the kitchen. I try to figure out what to do with the girls that doesn't involve me moving. I think what I can cook without ever going grocery shopping. I only have another 9 weeks and who knows what kind of resources I can come up with. So when you have a problem, yo I'll solve it. check out my hook while the dj revolves it.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Timing is everything!
This is to see how many of you REALLY read this blog vs. you say you do! I expect after this for all of you to take the 30 seconds to follow my blog.
When I was 18 I think my mom was trying to marry me off to anyone who would take me (not really, I was probably just an overpowering rough teen), but when I finally married Johnny at 21, it was perfect timing. We thought we could plan EVERYTHING. We "decided" to not-not try to have a baby after our first anniversary. Well, wouldn't you know that on our anniversary we got pregnant with Ella.
With being so super fertile we "decided" that at 15 mo. we WOULD get pregnant again so our babies could be 2 years apart. Well, we didn't get pregnant, and a year later, we weren't pregnant . and a year later we weren't pregnant and FINALLY with God's perfect timing we got pregnant with Zoe when ella was almost 3. But we weren't done. We "decided" that God could take YEARs to get us preggo again so we just never- not - tried after Zoe. I was still nursing when we got pregnant with Ada... and my baby is 16 mo behind my zoe.
But I can't imagine it any other way... God's timing is perfect.
Last year we had a miscarriage which was really hard on us because we were mentally prepared for anything... but that.So this August when I missed my period, I just paused.
The test was negative (just like last year). I didn't "feel" pregnant. then at 3 weeks, I started puking my nuggets up. and the test finally said positive. Now, every day my kids say, "mom's sick AGAIN! she's always sick" And yesterday... the baby is perfect, so keep your eye out for another Campbell to rock this world. Maybe a boy this time? This is my last chance, I mean, I'm 30... my doctor informed me that according to her , I'm coming close to advanced maternal age (REALLY???) And if it IS a boy, look forward to an "about time" party!!!! yay.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
What's happening?
I feel like jj from that show in the 70's. I look dumb, but I'm happy.
My sister is 9 years older than me and my brother 5, yet we all have something in common: We're all 3 youth leaders. How did this happen?
It's not like my mom had us run around and do dumb icebreaker games with our friends. It's not like we were in the same youth group at the same time EVER. We don't even have the same interests, yet we all ended up with the same passion. Did my mom pray for this?
what will become of this?
It has been real nice, though. I've listened to my sister and brother talk about their jobs, and now we can all have an intelligent conversation together... well, as much as youth can :)
I actually called them up and we got to bounce ideas off each other, concerns, prayers, and maybe a little laughter.
So watch out Southeast United States the Mixers (ok franks and campbells) are coming with the Word of God in laymen's terms... and I'm ready to show how true He really is!
My sister is 9 years older than me and my brother 5, yet we all have something in common: We're all 3 youth leaders. How did this happen?
It's not like my mom had us run around and do dumb icebreaker games with our friends. It's not like we were in the same youth group at the same time EVER. We don't even have the same interests, yet we all ended up with the same passion. Did my mom pray for this?
what will become of this?
It has been real nice, though. I've listened to my sister and brother talk about their jobs, and now we can all have an intelligent conversation together... well, as much as youth can :)
I actually called them up and we got to bounce ideas off each other, concerns, prayers, and maybe a little laughter.
So watch out Southeast United States the Mixers (ok franks and campbells) are coming with the Word of God in laymen's terms... and I'm ready to show how true He really is!
It's not just a name... apparently
Years ago I went onto the greatest site ever, Etsy.com. I wanted to ask a question to a seller, but in order to do that I had to make an account. So thinking off the top of my head, I named my account alimakeswiftly. Much MUch later I decided to open my own etsy site. But when I went to go make the greatest site ever: pineapples and Popsicles, I couldn't because I was CLAIMED to already have an account. I was so appauled that someone used my email address to make their account (feel kinda foolish now, it was me). I couldn't change the name, I could only open another account with a different email. Well, if you know me, I hardly check my first email, much less a new one. SO, I eventually became 6 months later, Alimakeswiftly.etsy.com.
It was incredibly slow. I didn't know what to put on there or when. Frankly, I still am slow at it. I would end up putting things up too late (I still do) and get NO business. Really? Why did I do it... But then at Christmas I got OODLES. Then nothing. Then easter I got OODLES, and then nothing. Now, I can say that my name is out... not on etsy, but it's out.
Then this fall came. If you asked me 2 months ago how business was going, I would have said , :"what business?". Then a friend asked me if I would make some shirts for his business. I've never done anything like that, and hey, I needed money. At that VERY moment, EVERYONE I know came up and asked me to monogram SOMETHING. or hem or glue or fix or patch or ... WHAT???? Well I got jacked up... how exciting. Then I started volunteering my services and ... every night I was up late. I was giving peoples backpacks back the next day, 8 shirts and 13 monograms done in 2 weeks, hemming in a week or so... I trully have embraced my name: Ali Does Make Swiftly.
but now it's expected. So, what happens when I have 3 kids running around and my FIL dies and I just don't feel good and ..and...and. people I find , don't care. they want their stuff done. Will I ever slow it down, probably not! I actually enjoy what I do. Should I mark up the prices, probably, but I'm a sucker. What to do?
The funny thing: in a couple weeks. I'll have nothing, my machine will break (it's headed that way). and I'll be begging people to order things, but yet I'll be too "busy" to get my fall, winter, christmas, school shirts onto etsy. SOOOO , if you see something you want or like be sure to poke me and tell me to put it on the site that is vacant, or just make it for you now... I promise to be swifter than my site. :)
It was incredibly slow. I didn't know what to put on there or when. Frankly, I still am slow at it. I would end up putting things up too late (I still do) and get NO business. Really? Why did I do it... But then at Christmas I got OODLES. Then nothing. Then easter I got OODLES, and then nothing. Now, I can say that my name is out... not on etsy, but it's out.
Then this fall came. If you asked me 2 months ago how business was going, I would have said , :"what business?". Then a friend asked me if I would make some shirts for his business. I've never done anything like that, and hey, I needed money. At that VERY moment, EVERYONE I know came up and asked me to monogram SOMETHING. or hem or glue or fix or patch or ... WHAT???? Well I got jacked up... how exciting. Then I started volunteering my services and ... every night I was up late. I was giving peoples backpacks back the next day, 8 shirts and 13 monograms done in 2 weeks, hemming in a week or so... I trully have embraced my name: Ali Does Make Swiftly.
but now it's expected. So, what happens when I have 3 kids running around and my FIL dies and I just don't feel good and ..and...and. people I find , don't care. they want their stuff done. Will I ever slow it down, probably not! I actually enjoy what I do. Should I mark up the prices, probably, but I'm a sucker. What to do?
The funny thing: in a couple weeks. I'll have nothing, my machine will break (it's headed that way). and I'll be begging people to order things, but yet I'll be too "busy" to get my fall, winter, christmas, school shirts onto etsy. SOOOO , if you see something you want or like be sure to poke me and tell me to put it on the site that is vacant, or just make it for you now... I promise to be swifter than my site. :)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
What would you do for skymiles?
So many ways that I could answer this question. First, I must point out that as I walked in the airport, I noticed many amazing things. Did you know that I can buy Rosetta Stone in the airport? But can they promise me that I'll learn Mandarin before I land in China? Also, you know how you can earn free crud when you listen to a timeshare. Atlanta had the audacity to tell me I could earn a free flight on Delta if I listened to their shpeel. Now wait! Can I apply this flight to the one that I'm about to board because my flight leaves in half an hour...
But I digress. I must share with you the joy that was my solo flight with 3 girls from Pheonix AZ to Charleston SC. It was 8:30am when we arrived at the pheonix airport. In tow I had a double stroller, 2 carseats, 3 bookbags (because it's a rule that the kids refuse to carry their own bag in public no matter how light it is), a purse (big one!!! full!!!), a laptop.... and oh yah, 3 kids. We began our journey at the flight check in... after it printed 50 copies of our boarding passes and flight schedules all the size of an ATM receipt we left for the security check in.
Now the happiness and candycanes begin. we take off our shoes. load up 8 buckets(!!!) full of junk, and was about to load up the seats to put through x ray when the guy in front of us tried to smuggle something in and they closed the station down... except that by now 50 people have lined up in the other station because they didn't want to be behind me. And we wait.
and wait.
and wait, for no one to let us slide in. so in my jerky way, I force myself in. we transfer all our junk, when I realize ( a minute too late) that ada's sippy is full of milk... they pull me aside to check for bombs in the milk and EVENTUALLY we enter the terminals.
Now I'm actually quite proud of my girls. they sat for 4 hours quietly. they watched thier movie and at thier veggies. Ella even offered the 8 year old boy next to me if he'd like gum. Which was a funny story. This woman in her late 30s gets on the plane with her 8 year old son. She is a 12 year old in a 38 year old womans body. The only thing she brings on the plane (besides her kid) is 5, count them, gameboys of various sizes, a VENTI coffee (1 for her and 1 for her son) and her makeup. She refuses for ella to give her son gum because it's unhealthy, no mind to the giant caffinated beverage he's consuming or the ice cream she forced down him for lunch even though he asked for veggies... hmmm.
After we land, we taxied the runway for 30 minutes so ella and ada unbuckle (no they did not get out of their seats), but the boy next to me can't take it; he had to lecture them. I said, "son really this is much better than them screaming." and I assure him he's super mature. His mom informs me, yes, more than my children (excuse me) and how she has to get off the plane away from them (what!!!!) then as my zoe gets her hand stuck in the bathroom door (I know, how ?) she screams and the lady PUSHES people down the isle to get away from us. I'm still proud of my girls.
We get off the plane, go to the bathroom, where I leave my purse and lose it. we walk to find dinner and order before I realize my purse is gone and we have to run for it. After we get the purse, there is no time to get dinner and the hill goes down.
SCREAMING ensues on the plane, off the plane , to the plane, away from the plane. they lick, bite, spit, kick, throw gum, pry it out and eat it again. needless to say the people sitting in 21c and 22c are a little peaved at those in 21ab and 22ab. but we get there... barely.
it is now 8:30 pm and I drive to chick fil a . the guy at the window asks how I'm doing and I say, " if you want me to give me a free milkshake, my day could be made better." and you know what he asks... what flavor... he made my 12 hour flight worth it... and what do I do... make him regret it. he asks why my children are crying in the back and was it because they didn't get a milkshake.... and in my sarcasm I say , " no, they're just hungry and I won't give them their food. I mean, it's only 9 pm and its early so they can wait til we get home right?"
he didn't find my day nearly as humorous as I did.
the end
But I digress. I must share with you the joy that was my solo flight with 3 girls from Pheonix AZ to Charleston SC. It was 8:30am when we arrived at the pheonix airport. In tow I had a double stroller, 2 carseats, 3 bookbags (because it's a rule that the kids refuse to carry their own bag in public no matter how light it is), a purse (big one!!! full!!!), a laptop.... and oh yah, 3 kids. We began our journey at the flight check in... after it printed 50 copies of our boarding passes and flight schedules all the size of an ATM receipt we left for the security check in.
Now the happiness and candycanes begin. we take off our shoes. load up 8 buckets(!!!) full of junk, and was about to load up the seats to put through x ray when the guy in front of us tried to smuggle something in and they closed the station down... except that by now 50 people have lined up in the other station because they didn't want to be behind me. And we wait.
and wait.
and wait, for no one to let us slide in. so in my jerky way, I force myself in. we transfer all our junk, when I realize ( a minute too late) that ada's sippy is full of milk... they pull me aside to check for bombs in the milk and EVENTUALLY we enter the terminals.
Now I'm actually quite proud of my girls. they sat for 4 hours quietly. they watched thier movie and at thier veggies. Ella even offered the 8 year old boy next to me if he'd like gum. Which was a funny story. This woman in her late 30s gets on the plane with her 8 year old son. She is a 12 year old in a 38 year old womans body. The only thing she brings on the plane (besides her kid) is 5, count them, gameboys of various sizes, a VENTI coffee (1 for her and 1 for her son) and her makeup. She refuses for ella to give her son gum because it's unhealthy, no mind to the giant caffinated beverage he's consuming or the ice cream she forced down him for lunch even though he asked for veggies... hmmm.
After we land, we taxied the runway for 30 minutes so ella and ada unbuckle (no they did not get out of their seats), but the boy next to me can't take it; he had to lecture them. I said, "son really this is much better than them screaming." and I assure him he's super mature. His mom informs me, yes, more than my children (excuse me) and how she has to get off the plane away from them (what!!!!) then as my zoe gets her hand stuck in the bathroom door (I know, how ?) she screams and the lady PUSHES people down the isle to get away from us. I'm still proud of my girls.
We get off the plane, go to the bathroom, where I leave my purse and lose it. we walk to find dinner and order before I realize my purse is gone and we have to run for it. After we get the purse, there is no time to get dinner and the hill goes down.
SCREAMING ensues on the plane, off the plane , to the plane, away from the plane. they lick, bite, spit, kick, throw gum, pry it out and eat it again. needless to say the people sitting in 21c and 22c are a little peaved at those in 21ab and 22ab. but we get there... barely.
it is now 8:30 pm and I drive to chick fil a . the guy at the window asks how I'm doing and I say, " if you want me to give me a free milkshake, my day could be made better." and you know what he asks... what flavor... he made my 12 hour flight worth it... and what do I do... make him regret it. he asks why my children are crying in the back and was it because they didn't get a milkshake.... and in my sarcasm I say , " no, they're just hungry and I won't give them their food. I mean, it's only 9 pm and its early so they can wait til we get home right?"
he didn't find my day nearly as humorous as I did.
the end
Sunday, August 8, 2010
home sweet home
Last weekend Johnny, the girls and I went to a family reunion for Johnny's family. this was the first time we had seen these people since we got married (yah, I remember a lot about meeting new people on THAT day) if at all. In the afternoon, johnny took the older girls to the lake for a fishing expedition, while I stayed back to keep an eye on Ada. The older ladies were inside reminiscing over family albums, but I sat outside on the porch with the "old" men.
It made me realize how much I love my wonderfully dysfunctional family, all sides of it. These men sat on the porch discussing how they terrorized their parents. My "uncle" snuck out of the house and took the family boat with his friends, they ran the boat into a tree and split it down the middle and then hauled the leftover pieces home to show his dad. What would I DO if my son brought home a shattered boat that he wasn't supposed to be using? Probably the same thing his dad did; he leapt off the front porch over the railing, fixed the boat, and then out of frustration, sold it.
That afternoon I laughed, I gasped, I cried. I heard stories of the vietnam draft, of family life, I saw the adults love on my girls and get psyched about their little loves, and I fell in love with my family again.
I look back at my family and even though we had our arguments, we can also be very open with each other. My mom and dad were there for me in my hardest times, and allowed me to hear their struggles, which prepared me for my marriage. My brother and I had horrible sibling rivalry, but I feel like we relate to each other so much. For instance, my brother tried to shut me out of the house to tease me in front of his friends, and ended up slamming the sliding glass door on my foot, almost breaking it. But the most beautiful thing I've ever heard was at one of the only youth retreats we ever went on together to my future college (CIU). He told my friend Renee that he envied me that I could be friends with anyone, and easily fall into place. That has stayed with me for 15 years and I know that my brother loves me. My sister let me visit and stay with her in college when I was only 9 or 10; what a loving sister!
Every family is dysfunctional. We all have that crazy relationship with our parents, our battles with siblings, that funky aunt (ok and I think she really is about the coolest aunt that I could share anything with), those grandparents that wipe the smudges off your face with their spit, and the cousins that although you haven't seen in 10 years you could probably fall right back into rhythm with. Now I have 2 more families (plus 1 because my MIL is remarried) I can enjoy the stories that come with my MIL's family and my FIL's family and the step parents and their kids and their kids. It makes me smile that one day, I'll be part of another 3 families with my girls (hopefully) and hear their dysfunctions and just laugh (or maybe write a book)!!! look out for the posts that come in the next few years, I'm sure they'll be great.
It made me realize how much I love my wonderfully dysfunctional family, all sides of it. These men sat on the porch discussing how they terrorized their parents. My "uncle" snuck out of the house and took the family boat with his friends, they ran the boat into a tree and split it down the middle and then hauled the leftover pieces home to show his dad. What would I DO if my son brought home a shattered boat that he wasn't supposed to be using? Probably the same thing his dad did; he leapt off the front porch over the railing, fixed the boat, and then out of frustration, sold it.
That afternoon I laughed, I gasped, I cried. I heard stories of the vietnam draft, of family life, I saw the adults love on my girls and get psyched about their little loves, and I fell in love with my family again.
I look back at my family and even though we had our arguments, we can also be very open with each other. My mom and dad were there for me in my hardest times, and allowed me to hear their struggles, which prepared me for my marriage. My brother and I had horrible sibling rivalry, but I feel like we relate to each other so much. For instance, my brother tried to shut me out of the house to tease me in front of his friends, and ended up slamming the sliding glass door on my foot, almost breaking it. But the most beautiful thing I've ever heard was at one of the only youth retreats we ever went on together to my future college (CIU). He told my friend Renee that he envied me that I could be friends with anyone, and easily fall into place. That has stayed with me for 15 years and I know that my brother loves me. My sister let me visit and stay with her in college when I was only 9 or 10; what a loving sister!
Every family is dysfunctional. We all have that crazy relationship with our parents, our battles with siblings, that funky aunt (ok and I think she really is about the coolest aunt that I could share anything with), those grandparents that wipe the smudges off your face with their spit, and the cousins that although you haven't seen in 10 years you could probably fall right back into rhythm with. Now I have 2 more families (plus 1 because my MIL is remarried) I can enjoy the stories that come with my MIL's family and my FIL's family and the step parents and their kids and their kids. It makes me smile that one day, I'll be part of another 3 families with my girls (hopefully) and hear their dysfunctions and just laugh (or maybe write a book)!!! look out for the posts that come in the next few years, I'm sure they'll be great.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Life on the (funny) farm
I was born at lunchtime on women's day. I'd like to say that the date and time of my birth would say something about my personality; I'm a strong decisive independent woman, who always takes charge. That rumor is not so.
I grew up in a neighborhood with no children. Halloween was great because every house would buy a bag of candy for me and my siblings and our pillowcases would be full before we made it halfway down the street. Frankly, I loved my neighborhood. I learned compassion and how to be grateful (plus there was always a captive audience). I really only had 3 friends til I was 9 (and we moved): Cory, Laura, and Rebecca.
I sat in the back of the class at school. I fell for peer pressure on a contagious basis; What I mean by that is that I would do what one person would ask me to, and then I felt that I needed to oblige everyone, so no one's feelings would be hurt. I think I did this because I never really learned how to relate to other kids. I was raised around adults (and my brother and sister who beat me up). I watched shows like Murder She Wrote and Columbo. The person I wanted to be like was Jessica Tandy (and was devastated when she passed away).
This has affected me as a 30 year old. I've changed my ways. I'm learning how to say No!. God has helped me stop running through those endless hypotheticals that start when someone doesn't call or is late. I'm searching for a best friend.
Now I take charge when the situation calls for it (because I can't stand wasting time), but by no means am I a take-charge kinda girl. I'm a little outspoken, but I lied for years (another story for another time). And i look to my daughters and I cringe. Why? Well, I have no idea what is a normal amount of time to spend with neighborhood kids (I didn't), I don't know what is an age appropriate arguement for a child is (never had em). Will they ever find thier best friend as a kid? I don't know if they're missing out on something ,but I'm going to take my hypothetical's word for it. That voice keeps telling me that I didn't miss out on anything, so neither are they. It tells me that my caring will one day be acknowledged by my girls and appreciated. It tells me , "ali, suck it up, you're 30, not 13". So, now I'm going to go out there and live like the girl born at 12:11 on March 8... maybe, if that's ok with you.
I grew up in a neighborhood with no children. Halloween was great because every house would buy a bag of candy for me and my siblings and our pillowcases would be full before we made it halfway down the street. Frankly, I loved my neighborhood. I learned compassion and how to be grateful (plus there was always a captive audience). I really only had 3 friends til I was 9 (and we moved): Cory, Laura, and Rebecca.
I sat in the back of the class at school. I fell for peer pressure on a contagious basis; What I mean by that is that I would do what one person would ask me to, and then I felt that I needed to oblige everyone, so no one's feelings would be hurt. I think I did this because I never really learned how to relate to other kids. I was raised around adults (and my brother and sister who beat me up). I watched shows like Murder She Wrote and Columbo. The person I wanted to be like was Jessica Tandy (and was devastated when she passed away).
This has affected me as a 30 year old. I've changed my ways. I'm learning how to say No!. God has helped me stop running through those endless hypotheticals that start when someone doesn't call or is late. I'm searching for a best friend.
Now I take charge when the situation calls for it (because I can't stand wasting time), but by no means am I a take-charge kinda girl. I'm a little outspoken, but I lied for years (another story for another time). And i look to my daughters and I cringe. Why? Well, I have no idea what is a normal amount of time to spend with neighborhood kids (I didn't), I don't know what is an age appropriate arguement for a child is (never had em). Will they ever find thier best friend as a kid? I don't know if they're missing out on something ,but I'm going to take my hypothetical's word for it. That voice keeps telling me that I didn't miss out on anything, so neither are they. It tells me that my caring will one day be acknowledged by my girls and appreciated. It tells me , "ali, suck it up, you're 30, not 13". So, now I'm going to go out there and live like the girl born at 12:11 on March 8... maybe, if that's ok with you.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Vacation
When I was growing up, we went on vacation atleast twice a year. Vacation was always the same. We went to The Florida Keys once a year and we went to Okeefenokee swamp every fall. Now, vacations were about family. we spent 16 hours in a car together on the way to the keys. For you youngun's, back then vacations in a car weren't the same as today. we didn't have airconditioning all the time. we didn't have DVD players and game boys (oh wait, even that reference is old: I mean PS3's), we had little cars that didn't have all it's working seatbelts, and books. we had sisters and brothers that forced you to sit on the floor of the car so they could stretch out and take a nap. Luckily, I learned to fight off motion sickness and read while we drove and sleep on the floor of the car (thank God that Florida is flat and straight). Okeefenokee is a SWAMP. and all the excitement that comes with that. What? you dont know what can be exciting about a swamp? Living in a cabin for a week, riding a boat with alligators and indian burial grounds. and well, swamp creatures. The great thing about that vacation was that there were about 20-30 other people who came with us ,and as a kid, you met new kids to play with each year. We ate donuts on a string, scavenger hunts and misquito counting.
Now I'm 30 and I have kids of my own. What vacations do we do? I have to laugh. We go to the beach (not the keys) every year for the 4th, and we go to okeefenokee every fall. And for some reason, it's more exciting for me now than it ever was as a kid. People know I'm going and ask about it; they ask if I've gone yet and what it's like. I force my children to eat donuts on a string and scavenger hunts. I found myself this past week at the beach, having a contest who could fill up a grocery bag with trash the quickest to get a prize... and they did it! Happily! Forget DVD's kids. Forget TV and ipods. give my kids a book and NATURE and maybe they'll grow up as well-rounded and happy as I am.
Thanks mom for forcing me to sit through all the okeefenokee lectures in the educational hall.
oh and p.s.: Zoe will be celebrating her 4th birthday with the alligators this year. I plan on taking advantage of that! For all my peeps who join me on vacation, we will be the envy of all my friends.
Now I'm 30 and I have kids of my own. What vacations do we do? I have to laugh. We go to the beach (not the keys) every year for the 4th, and we go to okeefenokee every fall. And for some reason, it's more exciting for me now than it ever was as a kid. People know I'm going and ask about it; they ask if I've gone yet and what it's like. I force my children to eat donuts on a string and scavenger hunts. I found myself this past week at the beach, having a contest who could fill up a grocery bag with trash the quickest to get a prize... and they did it! Happily! Forget DVD's kids. Forget TV and ipods. give my kids a book and NATURE and maybe they'll grow up as well-rounded and happy as I am.
Thanks mom for forcing me to sit through all the okeefenokee lectures in the educational hall.
oh and p.s.: Zoe will be celebrating her 4th birthday with the alligators this year. I plan on taking advantage of that! For all my peeps who join me on vacation, we will be the envy of all my friends.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Just call me the candy-lady!
When Ella was about 3 months old, we visited johnny's uncle and aunt in Arizona to show her off. When we got there johnny and I found a running joke. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE his family, but they have this way of taking care of each other that I've never seen before. Each morning (and evening) they get each others pills out and take them together. And i'm not just talking about their multivitamin; they take like 20 pills a piece both morning and night.
Now Johnny laughs at me because I can't remember to even take a multivitamin and I keep reminding him that when he wants to be my Jim and lay it out for me, I'd be happy to oblige.
I've always tried to eat healthy so that I wouldn't need a vitamin. Short of the occasional prenatal and flinstone vitamin, I don't like pills.
Then I turned 30.
It started with me being kinda tired. So, I really tried to take my multivitamin on a regular basis. then Iwent to the Dr. who informed me I was severely low on my vitamin D and I needed to bulk up. BUT I can't just take my vitamin D. so now i'm up to taking a multivitamin, Vitamin D, and calcium (for the genetic osteoporosis brewing -- thanks mom). but the calcium and iron from the multi causes nausea so I have to take an antinausea, but then that pill causes migraines so I got that pill... now i swear I'm up to 15 pills a day. Seriously, when did i go from 0 to 15 in less than a year? oh yah, when I turned 30.
So, i opened my medicine cabinet... I seriously think I could be the pusher for the neighborhood... Now all i got to do is combat the gag reflex that has made me famous in come circles and learn how not to be so old that I can compete with those younguns who only have to take that gummy bear vitamin. I'm coming... when I can make the arthritis in my knee go away!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
You look soooo pretty!
I had this week all thought out. I knew what I wanted to write about and then today, something changed. I've always been blessed with never being able to dwell on things for a long time. I usually have to deal with my issues immediately, or else if I DO have time to work out the hypotheticals in my head, the results are never what I expect.
Today I was getting ready to lay my girls down for a nap, but they can't nap together (but they do sleep together at night)and we have a friend sleeping over, so I put Zoe in my bed. Now, granted, looking back on the situation, I felt my hand hesitate as I shut the door. I heard, supersonically, something going awry in the room, but I ignored my first thoughts. When she came out, I sent her upstairs to play.
Later, someone called my house and I was walking into my bathroom, when I saw something on the floor. "what is that?". I followed the trail. "why are the bathroom drawers open?". I went around the corner to the toilet. And there on the floor were scissors. The trashcan next to the toilet was FULL of hair! i called Zoe down and she had cut ALL her hair off; well, I take that back, it was a mullet.
It reminded me of when I was a little girl. My mom would tell me to brush my hair and I would look in the mirror, only brushing what I could see. Meanwhile, I was building one mean rats nest in my hair. Periodically, my mom would stick peanut butter in my hair and tear at it, as she detangled that nasty mess, but in first grade, she decided that she was done with that. She cut off all my hair into this tiny bob, which flipped out on the sides and tortures me to this day.
Now, at 30, seems like so many people are obsessed with appearances. We hope people like us for what they can see, and hope we never show them our backsides. And as I look at my Beautiful 3 year old, I hope that I'm more like her. I hope that I can make my mistakes right up front, so that I never have a chance to mislead people into thinking I'm something I'm not, and later regret that I was not genuine and no one could trust what I had to say.
Today I was getting ready to lay my girls down for a nap, but they can't nap together (but they do sleep together at night)and we have a friend sleeping over, so I put Zoe in my bed. Now, granted, looking back on the situation, I felt my hand hesitate as I shut the door. I heard, supersonically, something going awry in the room, but I ignored my first thoughts. When she came out, I sent her upstairs to play.
Later, someone called my house and I was walking into my bathroom, when I saw something on the floor. "what is that?". I followed the trail. "why are the bathroom drawers open?". I went around the corner to the toilet. And there on the floor were scissors. The trashcan next to the toilet was FULL of hair! i called Zoe down and she had cut ALL her hair off; well, I take that back, it was a mullet.
It reminded me of when I was a little girl. My mom would tell me to brush my hair and I would look in the mirror, only brushing what I could see. Meanwhile, I was building one mean rats nest in my hair. Periodically, my mom would stick peanut butter in my hair and tear at it, as she detangled that nasty mess, but in first grade, she decided that she was done with that. She cut off all my hair into this tiny bob, which flipped out on the sides and tortures me to this day.
Now, at 30, seems like so many people are obsessed with appearances. We hope people like us for what they can see, and hope we never show them our backsides. And as I look at my Beautiful 3 year old, I hope that I'm more like her. I hope that I can make my mistakes right up front, so that I never have a chance to mislead people into thinking I'm something I'm not, and later regret that I was not genuine and no one could trust what I had to say.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Funny what defines your life
*warning* there are things on this post that I've never shared with ANYONE.(mom you might not want to read this) I had to pray a long time about whether to start this blog off on such a serious note, but in the end, it's done. Stay with me, I'll lighten up soon.
There are certain age groups that I lean toward when I look for who to hang with: 9, 13, 17,and 21. I had to think about why is that? and I realized that it's because at those ages, things happened that really defined who I was.
At age 7 I came to Christ but at age 9 I began going to a church that really encouraged me to figure out what I believed and my opinions were beginning to form.
At age 13 so many things began. Of course, the basic things like the first boyfriend, the first crush (yes girls, there is a difference)happened, but then I start thinking about other things. And this is where this post comes from. I experienced things that in an of themselves should have changed my life forever, but it's funny what defines your life. Between the ages of 13 and 16 I was introduced to drugs (and walked away thankfully), I smoked (and didn't break that easily), I drank (found my tolerance to be much higher than others: don't test me, I'll drink you under the table), I had friends who commited suicide, did cutting, anorexia, and every other disorder for teens. I saw friends have sex, prostitute themselves willingly, asked to have sex myself multiple times (but was smarter than the average bear for 99% of situations), I saw an orgy firsthand and walked away from that one, had a "friend" try to rape me, and another save me. I had a friend so high he put a shot gun to my face and later try to turn it on himself while police thought we were just silly teens. My first boyfriend was a drug addict and the second a gang member. I've had boyfriends who used me as a bet, and others for their own insecurities.
But the funny thing is that those things never defined me. I'm sure they influenced me to an extent, but I don't look back and say, "I wouldn't be who I am if someone hadn't tried to kill me (on more than one occasion)". I've noticed that the things that define me in life are things that show me (all the way back at age 7) who God is.
As a mom, I can see looking at my 7 year old how God took hold of me. I had no concept of sin. really, most of those things that happened to me up to age 16, I was so naive that they didn't register for YEARS. Yet, God in his mercy took hold of me. Gave me a passion for Him where there was no reason. At age 13, I knew I was experiencing things that other kids weren't necessarily going to ever go through. And I had to keep myself in check with God for my motivations (and they weren't always honorable). At age 17, I had a reality check. I took hold of my adulthood, and had to depend on God because no one else seemed to care about me or ask. At age 21, after much pain, and guilt from the decisions I made in life, God blessed me with a husband and soon after a baby. God was faithful even when I wasn't.
So I wonder with 30, will this be a defining year? Will I look back and say that God showed himself in a tangible new way? We'll see, but till then, I'm holding on.
There are certain age groups that I lean toward when I look for who to hang with: 9, 13, 17,and 21. I had to think about why is that? and I realized that it's because at those ages, things happened that really defined who I was.
At age 7 I came to Christ but at age 9 I began going to a church that really encouraged me to figure out what I believed and my opinions were beginning to form.
At age 13 so many things began. Of course, the basic things like the first boyfriend, the first crush (yes girls, there is a difference)happened, but then I start thinking about other things. And this is where this post comes from. I experienced things that in an of themselves should have changed my life forever, but it's funny what defines your life. Between the ages of 13 and 16 I was introduced to drugs (and walked away thankfully), I smoked (and didn't break that easily), I drank (found my tolerance to be much higher than others: don't test me, I'll drink you under the table), I had friends who commited suicide, did cutting, anorexia, and every other disorder for teens. I saw friends have sex, prostitute themselves willingly, asked to have sex myself multiple times (but was smarter than the average bear for 99% of situations), I saw an orgy firsthand and walked away from that one, had a "friend" try to rape me, and another save me. I had a friend so high he put a shot gun to my face and later try to turn it on himself while police thought we were just silly teens. My first boyfriend was a drug addict and the second a gang member. I've had boyfriends who used me as a bet, and others for their own insecurities.
But the funny thing is that those things never defined me. I'm sure they influenced me to an extent, but I don't look back and say, "I wouldn't be who I am if someone hadn't tried to kill me (on more than one occasion)". I've noticed that the things that define me in life are things that show me (all the way back at age 7) who God is.
As a mom, I can see looking at my 7 year old how God took hold of me. I had no concept of sin. really, most of those things that happened to me up to age 16, I was so naive that they didn't register for YEARS. Yet, God in his mercy took hold of me. Gave me a passion for Him where there was no reason. At age 13, I knew I was experiencing things that other kids weren't necessarily going to ever go through. And I had to keep myself in check with God for my motivations (and they weren't always honorable). At age 17, I had a reality check. I took hold of my adulthood, and had to depend on God because no one else seemed to care about me or ask. At age 21, after much pain, and guilt from the decisions I made in life, God blessed me with a husband and soon after a baby. God was faithful even when I wasn't.
So I wonder with 30, will this be a defining year? Will I look back and say that God showed himself in a tangible new way? We'll see, but till then, I'm holding on.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Day one of the rest of my life
This year I turned 30.
I know what you're thinking, but I had images of what life would be like.
I am that girl from 13 going on 30. I had dreams that 30 would be the best year of my life. Actually, I never expected to make it to 30 and I think that's why I thought it would be so wonderful. You have to realize that I grew up with Kurt Cobain and River Pheonix (for all you younguns, that's juaquin's big brother who died at 27) All the cool people died young. I had goals in life and all of them were to be accomplished by the age of 27, and actually all but 1 was. I just figured something tragic would take me away.
Then I turned 27... and it passed. I was getting so excited for what 30 would bring that I could have peed my pants (and thanks to giving birth multiple times it was a serious possibility). then 29 came along. I can't remember exactly what happened because I blacked out all memory of it, but I remember crying that night and swearing that I would never turn 30.
I dreaded all year and thanks to my friends I made it. Now you wonder what was the one goal in life that I never accomplished? It was being on the cover of 17 magazine and this year, thanks to my husband, I accomplished said goal and I can die in peace ( that is of course unless someone wants to get me onto John henson's set to become a muppeteer). i can say with confidence that 30 is... well, it's not what I thought it would be. And that is why I have begun this blog. Better late than never, better out than in, better complete humiliation than no experiences at all I have always said.
This blog should do a few things. I want first of all to create a birth control for highschoolers. Read carefully kids. I want all the single ladies (put your hand up), the marrieds, the moms, and even the men to see what I have experienced and know they are not alone. I've gone through too much to get to this point for it all to be put to waste. So read on, invite your friends and enjoy all that is in all (sweeping hands from head to feet) of THIS!!!
Just remember that this is MY life. I will talk about ALL things that effect/affect me and feel free to comment with wisdom and gentleness.
I know what you're thinking, but I had images of what life would be like.
I am that girl from 13 going on 30. I had dreams that 30 would be the best year of my life. Actually, I never expected to make it to 30 and I think that's why I thought it would be so wonderful. You have to realize that I grew up with Kurt Cobain and River Pheonix (for all you younguns, that's juaquin's big brother who died at 27) All the cool people died young. I had goals in life and all of them were to be accomplished by the age of 27, and actually all but 1 was. I just figured something tragic would take me away.
Then I turned 27... and it passed. I was getting so excited for what 30 would bring that I could have peed my pants (and thanks to giving birth multiple times it was a serious possibility). then 29 came along. I can't remember exactly what happened because I blacked out all memory of it, but I remember crying that night and swearing that I would never turn 30.
I dreaded all year and thanks to my friends I made it. Now you wonder what was the one goal in life that I never accomplished? It was being on the cover of 17 magazine and this year, thanks to my husband, I accomplished said goal and I can die in peace ( that is of course unless someone wants to get me onto John henson's set to become a muppeteer). i can say with confidence that 30 is... well, it's not what I thought it would be. And that is why I have begun this blog. Better late than never, better out than in, better complete humiliation than no experiences at all I have always said.
This blog should do a few things. I want first of all to create a birth control for highschoolers. Read carefully kids. I want all the single ladies (put your hand up), the marrieds, the moms, and even the men to see what I have experienced and know they are not alone. I've gone through too much to get to this point for it all to be put to waste. So read on, invite your friends and enjoy all that is in all (sweeping hands from head to feet) of THIS!!!
Just remember that this is MY life. I will talk about ALL things that effect/affect me and feel free to comment with wisdom and gentleness.
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