Thanksgiving. Turkey day. A time for thanks. A time for family.
So what did our thanksgiving bring? Not all that much. I did get the joy and honor of making my wonderful husband a gluten free french silk pie {not an easy task, by the way} and also of spending it with my in laws.
Its sad; I'd much rather spend the meal with my mother and father in law than my own mother and father. They are so much more sane. And they treat the boys so much better. Like they relate more.
It was a great, filling meal, with tons of food to choose from and three different desserts. Not one fight or argument broke out at the table or even the whole evening. Even G was a well behaved boy. Our day was nice. Our evening was nice.
The morning started out not so nice. We weren't sure J was going to be home. He raced home as fast as he could. His work had taken him off of two different loads and ended up bouncing him back empty just so he could be home with his family for thanksgiving dinner. Whew. He literally got home at 2:30, took a shower, and then we left for his parents.
And that is just a peek in the life of a family of a truck driver. Just a peek.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Confessions of a Non Voter
I published this on my Myspace page on 11/4, but I figured I could post it here too, for whatever readers I have out there.
Get me a cup of that support group coffee, grab yourself a cup, and let's form a circle...How un~American of me! How dare I? Especially since my foremothers fought so hard for me to even have the right to vote! The nerve!! Well, I better not complain about how things are run, etc, because I didn't go out and put my mark on the ballot today!Supposing I agreed with all of the above statements, I would keep my mouth shut and just admit that voting isn't my thing. But I disagree with every statement and I'm here to tell you why there are some of us who don't vote, but know and care how our wonderful country is being run. First of all, like many, many others, I don't like the candidates. {ducks before getting slapped and bitched out} I know a lot of people say that and use it as an excuse, but it really is true. The one candidate that would have made me go out and vote my little butt of dropped out of the race. If I were to cast aside my beliefs and vote for the lesser of two evils, than what kind of American would I be, really? Yes, I do like some of the things each candidate stands for. I agree with some of the issues they are campaigning for, yet both candidates have qualities that I cannot stand. Second, while I recognize every hardship, every tear shed and every drop of blood that was shed so that I, a woman, would have the right to vote, I still choose to not go to the ballots this day. Thank you, my dear foremothers who had the courage to stand up and fight for me to have the right to CHOOSE not to vote. That is one of the things our great country is known for; freedom of choice. I can choose to do many things in this country, and I can also choose NOT to. The beauty in that is amazing and brings tears to my eyes.So I chose not to vote today in the presidental election. I have researched both candidates and personally don't want either in office. And, let's be honest, when it comes to presidental elections, I'd be marking that slip of paper for no other reason than it would make me FEEL like it mattered. Unfortunately, our vote does not matter when it comes to a presidental election. The electoral college has that honor, and I'm not part of that. To be bluntly honest here, politics aren't my thing. I'm apathetic when it comes to the democratic and republican party. There are issues I feel strongly about, like enviromental preservation and freedom of choice, but I just don't do parties and campaigns. Some of my views would be considered highly conservative, while some are considered highly liberal. I am at niether end of that spectrum. So, would it be fair to Ms. America for me, someone who disagrees strongly with both candidates, to go out and "waste" my vote? Would it even be fair to myself to do something so small like putting an X in the box of either candidate when my heart is screaming NOOOOOOO!! to both of them? I think not.
Hello everyone, my name is Erin, and I didn't vote today. {this is where the crowd chimes in, "Hi Erin."}
Get me a cup of that support group coffee, grab yourself a cup, and let's form a circle...How un~American of me! How dare I? Especially since my foremothers fought so hard for me to even have the right to vote! The nerve!! Well, I better not complain about how things are run, etc, because I didn't go out and put my mark on the ballot today!Supposing I agreed with all of the above statements, I would keep my mouth shut and just admit that voting isn't my thing. But I disagree with every statement and I'm here to tell you why there are some of us who don't vote, but know and care how our wonderful country is being run. First of all, like many, many others, I don't like the candidates. {ducks before getting slapped and bitched out} I know a lot of people say that and use it as an excuse, but it really is true. The one candidate that would have made me go out and vote my little butt of dropped out of the race. If I were to cast aside my beliefs and vote for the lesser of two evils, than what kind of American would I be, really? Yes, I do like some of the things each candidate stands for. I agree with some of the issues they are campaigning for, yet both candidates have qualities that I cannot stand. Second, while I recognize every hardship, every tear shed and every drop of blood that was shed so that I, a woman, would have the right to vote, I still choose to not go to the ballots this day. Thank you, my dear foremothers who had the courage to stand up and fight for me to have the right to CHOOSE not to vote. That is one of the things our great country is known for; freedom of choice. I can choose to do many things in this country, and I can also choose NOT to. The beauty in that is amazing and brings tears to my eyes.So I chose not to vote today in the presidental election. I have researched both candidates and personally don't want either in office. And, let's be honest, when it comes to presidental elections, I'd be marking that slip of paper for no other reason than it would make me FEEL like it mattered. Unfortunately, our vote does not matter when it comes to a presidental election. The electoral college has that honor, and I'm not part of that. To be bluntly honest here, politics aren't my thing. I'm apathetic when it comes to the democratic and republican party. There are issues I feel strongly about, like enviromental preservation and freedom of choice, but I just don't do parties and campaigns. Some of my views would be considered highly conservative, while some are considered highly liberal. I am at niether end of that spectrum. So, would it be fair to Ms. America for me, someone who disagrees strongly with both candidates, to go out and "waste" my vote? Would it even be fair to myself to do something so small like putting an X in the box of either candidate when my heart is screaming NOOOOOOO!! to both of them? I think not.
The After Effect...
So another Halloween has come and gone. Personally, I am in love with the holiday; it's exuberance, it's anonymity, and it's all around jubilance. I love dressing up, even though I'm getting old. I love taking the boys out trick or treating and running from house to house..
This year, G was superman! He did a great job being a brave hero. We did run from house to house, G of course not really running but in his mind he was flying, until he tripped on his trick or treat bag and got an owie. M was a doggie, and was too adorable. He got the luxery of daddy carting him around in his stroller while mommy did the trick or treating for him.
This year was sad, however. There were barely any houses that participated. We'd get one house, have to go down 4 more houses to get to the next one handing out candy. It really was sad.
The afternoon after, I had to go to the store for something. I looked outside; up and down our block, and it was as if Halloween never was. Even at our house, my husband had gotten up early and took our outside decorations down. It was amazing how quickly the jubilance and fun of the previous night was almost erased. Sad even.
Then, realizing it was November already hit me like a ton of bricks. Time is FLYING by at light speed. It's not fair. G's in preschool, going along ok {save for the behavior problems I'm trying to deal with} M and me are hanging out together when G's in school having a ball, and Hubby's trucking along, lonely, but trucking along. Christmas will be here before we know it. And G's birthday. Wow, I just realized that I should be planning his party now... His b~day is in the beginning of December. Holy cow.
My kids are growing up way too fast. I'm getting older way too fast. :P
This year, G was superman! He did a great job being a brave hero. We did run from house to house, G of course not really running but in his mind he was flying, until he tripped on his trick or treat bag and got an owie. M was a doggie, and was too adorable. He got the luxery of daddy carting him around in his stroller while mommy did the trick or treating for him.
This year was sad, however. There were barely any houses that participated. We'd get one house, have to go down 4 more houses to get to the next one handing out candy. It really was sad.
The afternoon after, I had to go to the store for something. I looked outside; up and down our block, and it was as if Halloween never was. Even at our house, my husband had gotten up early and took our outside decorations down. It was amazing how quickly the jubilance and fun of the previous night was almost erased. Sad even.
Then, realizing it was November already hit me like a ton of bricks. Time is FLYING by at light speed. It's not fair. G's in preschool, going along ok {save for the behavior problems I'm trying to deal with} M and me are hanging out together when G's in school having a ball, and Hubby's trucking along, lonely, but trucking along. Christmas will be here before we know it. And G's birthday. Wow, I just realized that I should be planning his party now... His b~day is in the beginning of December. Holy cow.
My kids are growing up way too fast. I'm getting older way too fast. :P
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Everyday Heros
Let me start this entry by saying that I have a TON of respect for our American Soldiers. I have family in the military and I am proud to say that...
But I have a small pet peeve. Everyone always says "support our troops" and always makes an effort to thank the solider they see on the street, to tell them what a good job they're doing, etc. Yes, soldiers are heroes. Yes, they should be recognized for the fighting they do and the time they are giving up from their families. Yes, that is all well and good.
But what about America's every day heroes? People that this country could not live and thrive without? I'm talking about one of the most unappreciated and even under accepted part of our society. Truck drivers.
Your average, everyday person does not respect a truck driver. They view them as lazy, dirty, foul mouthed human beings. They not only ignore them, but sometimes go out of their way to humiliate them. The general public views them as annoying when they have to drive behind a slow truck. They take risks cutting trucks off because of the big hurry they are always in.
I want you to know something right off the bat: you would not have ANYTHING if it weren't for truck drivers. If you got it, a trucker brought it. They haul foods, goods, and even waste. If it weren't for truckers, the country we love so much wouldn't thrive.
Truckers make sacrifices everyday to help our nation thrive. When my husband leaves, one of the last things he sees and hears before getting into his rig is his oldest son crying hard, reaching out for him, and saying "daddy, don't go!" Imagine having to do that for a living.
A trucker's job isn't as easy as everyone seems to think it is. It's not just sitting in front of a steering wheel and watching the road. It's driving safely, watching closely so when you, the car, does something completely stupid and moronic you don't get hurt.
It's isolation. Only person in that cab is you and you alone. Sure, you have your cell phone to call your family, but you don't get the luxury of good night kisses and good morning hugs.
It's taxing. It's driving non stop for sometimes 10-14 hours in a day. You don't have a steady sleep schedule. When you do sleep, it's in a bed that isn't quite soft and a cab that just can't get cozy enough.
Truckers don't pick their job to be lazy. Truckers, the good ones anyways, do the job because they know that SOMEONE has to do it. They know that you wouldn't get the things you need without them.
So please, do me a favor; next time you see a trucker, whether he's driving, walking, or sitting there taking a much needed break, show him he's appreciated. Give him a thumbs up, a smile, a hug. Don't cut him off or go racing around him because he's going to slow {he's going that slow for YOUR safety}. Make him feel like the everyday sacrifices he makes are worth it. Once in a while, tell him thanks, and that you recognize him {or her} for the hero he is.
But I have a small pet peeve. Everyone always says "support our troops" and always makes an effort to thank the solider they see on the street, to tell them what a good job they're doing, etc. Yes, soldiers are heroes. Yes, they should be recognized for the fighting they do and the time they are giving up from their families. Yes, that is all well and good.
But what about America's every day heroes? People that this country could not live and thrive without? I'm talking about one of the most unappreciated and even under accepted part of our society. Truck drivers.
Your average, everyday person does not respect a truck driver. They view them as lazy, dirty, foul mouthed human beings. They not only ignore them, but sometimes go out of their way to humiliate them. The general public views them as annoying when they have to drive behind a slow truck. They take risks cutting trucks off because of the big hurry they are always in.
I want you to know something right off the bat: you would not have ANYTHING if it weren't for truck drivers. If you got it, a trucker brought it. They haul foods, goods, and even waste. If it weren't for truckers, the country we love so much wouldn't thrive.
Truckers make sacrifices everyday to help our nation thrive. When my husband leaves, one of the last things he sees and hears before getting into his rig is his oldest son crying hard, reaching out for him, and saying "daddy, don't go!" Imagine having to do that for a living.
A trucker's job isn't as easy as everyone seems to think it is. It's not just sitting in front of a steering wheel and watching the road. It's driving safely, watching closely so when you, the car, does something completely stupid and moronic you don't get hurt.
It's isolation. Only person in that cab is you and you alone. Sure, you have your cell phone to call your family, but you don't get the luxury of good night kisses and good morning hugs.
It's taxing. It's driving non stop for sometimes 10-14 hours in a day. You don't have a steady sleep schedule. When you do sleep, it's in a bed that isn't quite soft and a cab that just can't get cozy enough.
Truckers don't pick their job to be lazy. Truckers, the good ones anyways, do the job because they know that SOMEONE has to do it. They know that you wouldn't get the things you need without them.
So please, do me a favor; next time you see a trucker, whether he's driving, walking, or sitting there taking a much needed break, show him he's appreciated. Give him a thumbs up, a smile, a hug. Don't cut him off or go racing around him because he's going to slow {he's going that slow for YOUR safety}. Make him feel like the everyday sacrifices he makes are worth it. Once in a while, tell him thanks, and that you recognize him {or her} for the hero he is.
Hard Times
Times have been hard here. We, like many other Americans, are in danger of losing our home to foreclosure. The economy is so bad and work has been so slow that we've been barely scraping by.
The Salvation Army has helped us with food, and for that I am extremely grateful. We were lucky enough that Hubby has sleep apnea, or else we'd have no electricity now; we got a medical extension.
I've been so depressed I've tried to fall off the face of the Earth. I haven't blogged, I haven't really done much of anything other than clean and zone out with a computer role playing game.
You know, they say that there is help out there for families like mine who work hard and try our damndest. I've found this isn't so.
I spent days on the phone with dozens of different programs to try to avoid foreclosure. We've tried working with our mortgage company to try loss mitigation options. I've tried calling THAW and United Way for help with our heating and electricity bill. There are no funds left in that program.
Many programs are running very thin. Apparently things aren't just terrible for my family; it's like this all over the place. We are also unlucky enough to live in Michigan, close to Detriot; in this area things are pretty much as desperate as they get.
We thrive on the auto industry, which is not doing so hot. Jobs here depend on the big three, and they are laying off.
I've even tried to get food stamp help and State Emergancy Relief. I went to the Department of Human Services, waited about four and a half hours, and was yelled at by my case worker. I had filled out the form for emergancy help for our mortgage, and this worker told me that the state dosn't care if we lose our house. She continued her rant by saying that we never should have gotten our house in the first place; people like us don't own houses. I left the office, got into my van, and cried for ten minutes before leaving the parking lot. I felt horrible.
Now, we are not the sort of people who live on welfare. We don't try to take advantage of the system, we want to leave food stamps and assistance for the people who really need it... But, when we really needed it, we were met with condemnation. I was made to feel like a bum.
My husband and I are hard workers; he drives his truck many hours, and sacrifices time with his family to get things where they need to go. He misses parts of his children's lives so he can support us. I try to raise responsible, caring boys who not only respect others but have compassion, empathy, and love..
It seems in this world the people who try the least and put in the smallest amount of work are the ones to get the most help.
I'd like to end this entry by saying things are looking up. I'd like to tell you that our mortgage is paid, our electricity bill is covered, and that our refrigerator is stocked. I'd like to tell you these things but I cannot.
The only thing I can tell you is that I am trying to stop isolating. I have been reaching out to friends so that I don't go slowly insane like I have been. I have been trying to spend time with other adults to maybe ease my mind just a little bit and not cry my eyes out every day. In that respect, things are getting better.
I wish I had something positive to say to end this with, but the sad truth is this: I can't. We're trying to keep our head above water and failing miserably. It sucks. And it honestly makes me feel worse to know that we are not the only family going through this.
The Salvation Army has helped us with food, and for that I am extremely grateful. We were lucky enough that Hubby has sleep apnea, or else we'd have no electricity now; we got a medical extension.
I've been so depressed I've tried to fall off the face of the Earth. I haven't blogged, I haven't really done much of anything other than clean and zone out with a computer role playing game.
You know, they say that there is help out there for families like mine who work hard and try our damndest. I've found this isn't so.
I spent days on the phone with dozens of different programs to try to avoid foreclosure. We've tried working with our mortgage company to try loss mitigation options. I've tried calling THAW and United Way for help with our heating and electricity bill. There are no funds left in that program.
Many programs are running very thin. Apparently things aren't just terrible for my family; it's like this all over the place. We are also unlucky enough to live in Michigan, close to Detriot; in this area things are pretty much as desperate as they get.
We thrive on the auto industry, which is not doing so hot. Jobs here depend on the big three, and they are laying off.
I've even tried to get food stamp help and State Emergancy Relief. I went to the Department of Human Services, waited about four and a half hours, and was yelled at by my case worker. I had filled out the form for emergancy help for our mortgage, and this worker told me that the state dosn't care if we lose our house. She continued her rant by saying that we never should have gotten our house in the first place; people like us don't own houses. I left the office, got into my van, and cried for ten minutes before leaving the parking lot. I felt horrible.
Now, we are not the sort of people who live on welfare. We don't try to take advantage of the system, we want to leave food stamps and assistance for the people who really need it... But, when we really needed it, we were met with condemnation. I was made to feel like a bum.
My husband and I are hard workers; he drives his truck many hours, and sacrifices time with his family to get things where they need to go. He misses parts of his children's lives so he can support us. I try to raise responsible, caring boys who not only respect others but have compassion, empathy, and love..
It seems in this world the people who try the least and put in the smallest amount of work are the ones to get the most help.
I'd like to end this entry by saying things are looking up. I'd like to tell you that our mortgage is paid, our electricity bill is covered, and that our refrigerator is stocked. I'd like to tell you these things but I cannot.
The only thing I can tell you is that I am trying to stop isolating. I have been reaching out to friends so that I don't go slowly insane like I have been. I have been trying to spend time with other adults to maybe ease my mind just a little bit and not cry my eyes out every day. In that respect, things are getting better.
I wish I had something positive to say to end this with, but the sad truth is this: I can't. We're trying to keep our head above water and failing miserably. It sucks. And it honestly makes me feel worse to know that we are not the only family going through this.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Picky Eater?
I have a very weird kid. He loves mac and cheese one day, and the next he can't take it. He is totally into spaghetti one second and the next all he wants is McDonalds. This is my life.
I have, however, figured out a really good recipe that he loves, all the time. He won't eat Sloppy Joe's, but this he will eat...
I call this recipe SLOPPY GAVIN'S... {A tribute to my oldest son}
{a plus: this recipe is gluten free!!}
INGREDIENTS:
pound or so of ground beef
one can of Kroger brand sloppy joe sauce
nacho chips {if you're going gluten free, Kroger brand is safe}
shredded cheese of your choice {we are in love with cheddar-jack}
toppings you love on nachos, such as sour cream, tomatoes, etc}
Brown ground beef. Drain. Add sloppy joe sauce. Simmer. Preheat oven to about 400. Spread out nachos on a cookie sheet, top with beef and cheese. Bake in oven long enough for cheese to melt. Add other toppings and enjoy!
Feel free to rename this recipe for your kids. :) Gavin LOVES that he gets to eat something that has his name in it!
I have, however, figured out a really good recipe that he loves, all the time. He won't eat Sloppy Joe's, but this he will eat...
I call this recipe SLOPPY GAVIN'S... {A tribute to my oldest son}
{a plus: this recipe is gluten free!!}
INGREDIENTS:
pound or so of ground beef
one can of Kroger brand sloppy joe sauce
nacho chips {if you're going gluten free, Kroger brand is safe}
shredded cheese of your choice {we are in love with cheddar-jack}
toppings you love on nachos, such as sour cream, tomatoes, etc}
Brown ground beef. Drain. Add sloppy joe sauce. Simmer. Preheat oven to about 400. Spread out nachos on a cookie sheet, top with beef and cheese. Bake in oven long enough for cheese to melt. Add other toppings and enjoy!
Feel free to rename this recipe for your kids. :) Gavin LOVES that he gets to eat something that has his name in it!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Party for a One Year Old
Well, my world got a lot more sad... My youngest son turned one year old 8/10/08. This is so sad for me, because time is just passing by too fast.
We had a birthday party for him on Saturday. The party was fun, the kids really enjoyed themselves. We had a carnival theme; there was a kissing booth {where the kids had to guess how many hershey kisses were in containers}, a fortune telling booth {where the kids got their fortunes from a cookie}, and games. We had a clothes pin drop, and a duck hunt... Every kid got to go home with everyone's favorite carnival prize: a gold fish. We had three left over when all was said and done; our Ciclids ate very well that night!
So, alas, my baby is a year older. And December is creeping up here as fast as McQueen in the Piston Cup... My oldest will be 4 that month...
Isn't there some kind of magic spell to make them stop growing, yet stay healthy and normal???
We had a birthday party for him on Saturday. The party was fun, the kids really enjoyed themselves. We had a carnival theme; there was a kissing booth {where the kids had to guess how many hershey kisses were in containers}, a fortune telling booth {where the kids got their fortunes from a cookie}, and games. We had a clothes pin drop, and a duck hunt... Every kid got to go home with everyone's favorite carnival prize: a gold fish. We had three left over when all was said and done; our Ciclids ate very well that night!
So, alas, my baby is a year older. And December is creeping up here as fast as McQueen in the Piston Cup... My oldest will be 4 that month...
Isn't there some kind of magic spell to make them stop growing, yet stay healthy and normal???
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