Day 19 - Disrespect

In line with the June Blog Challenge over at Paula's Place we are now brought to day 19... 

Disrespecting your parents.

I have seen far too many KIDS disrespecting ALL  authority figure these days... not just their parents.  Teachers have no rights... they're robbing and beating elderly... Obviously this disrespect is a learned and UNdisciplined behavior for it to be continually tolerated.  

I will tell you. I personally will NOT tolerate disrespect of any form or fashion in my house.  You disrespect me.  You lose everything.  Your phone.  Your electronics.  Your social life.  Your door.  Your identity.  Period.  Gone.  I have made it explicitly clear that I am not on this planet to be my children's friend.  I don't care if they're popular.  I don't care if they don't get to go everywhere they want... I don't care.  I say no.  I mean no.  I don't negotiate.  I say what I mean, and I mean what I say.  The buck stops with me.

I think disrespect comes from children who don't have set boundaries.  Thus, when they push once where the boundary wasn't firm and got away with it -- it's one thing... Then they try again and the boundary was reinforced, there is confusion which will likely lead to much disrespect.  

Also, I believe today's youth has a great disconnect from ... life.  Electronic and screen time... instant messaging... snap chat... vine.. instagram... Their circles are FULL of complete instant gratification and the ability to hide behind the anonymity that only the internet provides.  As such, they're not adequately versed on the necessity of social graces and thus how to accept defined boundaries with anything OTHER than that which they display in typical social media form... unfortunately, everything in life isn't to be "liked."  

Day 18 - I believe...

In line with the June Blog Challenge over at Paula's Place we are now brought to day 18... 

Your beliefs.

Well, the first thing that came to mind was a song.  And, you know, I'm all about music, so please indulge me and listen.  It's so beautiful.


The lyrics are GREAT!  Seriously... 

I don't believe in superstars,
Organic food and foreign cars.
I don't believe the price of gold;
The certainty of growing old.
That right is right and left is wrong,
That north and south can't get along.
That east is east and west is west.
And being first is always best.

But I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

Well, I don't believe that heaven waits,
For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love:
He's down below, He's up above.
He's watching people everywhere.
He knows who does and doesn't care.
And I'm an ordinary man,
Sometimes I wonder who I am.

But I believe in love.
I believe in music.
I believe in magic.
And I believe in you.

I know with all my certainty, 
What's going on with you and me, 
Is a good thing.
It's true, I believe in you. 

I don't believe virginity,
Is as common as it used to be. 
In working days and sleeping nights,
That black is black and white is white. 
That Superman and Robin Hood,
Are still alive in Hollywood.
That gasoline's in short supply,
The rising cost of getting by.

But I believe in love.
I believe in old folks. 
I believe in children.
I believe in you.

I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.



I believe in the idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  

I don't believe you're entitled to anything that you're not willing to work for.

I believe you can worship whomever or whatever you want.  

I believe in one race -- the HUMAN race and that NOTHING should be decided on the color of your skin but the qualifications and character of your person.  

I believe majority rules.

I believe it's no one's right to protect you from yourself.

I believe if you chop down a tree, you should have to plant three in its place.

I believe that "progress" doesn't equal concrete, strip malls and subdivisions.

I believe the government is corrupt.

I believe they need to leave our food sources alone and quit adding all kinds of shit to foods that are making us sick -- artificial EVERYTHING NEEDS TO STOP!

I think instead of prescribing PILLS, doctors need to prescribe EXERCISE and insurance should cover personal trainer sessions instead of prescriptions!

If you're going on the government teat for anything, you're going to be drug tested. 

I believe I can fly... I believe I can touch the sky (lol... just checking to see if you're still with me...)

But more importantly...

I believe that whoever said you can't buy love never had a puppy.  

I believe that some women should be given a wax as a public service.

I believe that spandex is a privilege and not a right.

Day 17 - Highs and lows

Continuing in our June Blog Challenge over at Paula's Place we are now brought to day 17... over half-way there.  What are your highs and lows of this past year?

I tend to not hold onto any "low" for too terribly long.  And, when you're constantly on the go with three active boys, it's hard to linger too long in the bask of the "high."  

Lows... losing my groove I had going on at the gym.  The pain in the joints in my fingers from arthritis and constant headaches. Good friends' being affected by cancer (in some form or fashion). The realization that some things will never come to pass... and that some relationships will never be what I want them to be... losing pets... losing friendships... losing family members... not being able to focus on many of the projects I want to complete because there just aren't enough hours in a day.  Having my three year old's teeth knocked out.  

The lows don't define me.  They are just pieces to my puzzle.  They aren't big enough to change me nor will I give them the power to do that.  They cannot transform me into something that I am not.  Without them, however, we never would appreciate the highs...

Highs.... watching my boys grow and experience new challenges and overcome obstacles... starting new projects... receiving accolades for projects... taking on new roles in the organizations I support...getting an iPhone (don't laugh, I'm serious!)  Getting some progress made on the Honey-Do list (that I've apparently made for myself).  Spending time with great friends.  Eating great food.  Making great memories.  Taking great pictures.  Planning for an even better next year.

This is a picture of real life, however.  It's not always pretty.  It's not always picture perfect.  The glass isn't always half empty, but the glass isn't always half full either.  It's just a glass... a glass there for the taking when you need to refresh yourself.  Such is life.  It'll still be there... and it'll still go on... so long as you have a high following the low, it's a great ride... and it is what you make of it. Enjoy the ride.

Want to play along?  Link up here.

Mainstream Music

Today's topic for the June Blog Challenge at Paula's Place is Mainstream Music -- my views on it.

To be honest, I don't listen to much, if any, radio at all.  You see, I'm a MOM... with a minivan.  In said minivan is a DVD player.  In said DVD player is a movie.  If said minivan is moving, the movie is spinning.  It makes everyone happy.  One of the benefits of this daily movie session is taht I am one of the few people on earth that has memorized the lines to every.Pixar.movie.known.to.man.  Yes, yes I have.

This week, however, I've mixed it up.  We are listening to Open Season.

I only have the first.  I think they've come out with two sequels now.  I don't like sequels --especially with children's movies.  They just beat these horses to death!  Do something DIFFERENT!  But no... they come out with a Part 2, and 3, and 4... The problem is that after the second, they generally can't get the original big named actors to star and it's just a buncha scrubs mouthing the lines.  The characters lose authenticity without the voices behind who made them famous to begin with!

Aaaaaanyway... as such, I don't really know any mainstream music of any genre.  If it's not on a movie, it's on talk radio or my .mp3 player.  I'm such a rebel.

Happy Father's Day!

Today is Father's Day.... the day to celebrate the patriarch of the family.  Ours was a little different from what I had anticipated, but we did what we always do -- go with the flow.  You see my oldest, Joshua, had a baseball tournament.  First game was at 10, which meant they needed to be there by 9.

They won!  Great!

But that meant they needed to be back by 1:15 for a 2pm game.

This was probably one of THE best baseball games I've ever seen!  They went to 7 innings which, for them, is unheard of.  The opposing team ultimately got the winning score with the hit they needed that no one could get to in time.  Total bummer.

However, as much as it pains me to say it, it may have been a good thing because our pitchers were all used up.... our boys were tired, and hot (it was 101 heat index)... and probably hungry... and did I mention HOT?  Yeah, it was a tad warm!  If they'd won this game (remember, this was the second game in this heat...) they would have had about 50 minutes before their next game.  That would have been for the championship, however.

Here are a few shots of my stud!

Since we were at the fields separated all day, I had neither the time to cook nor the time to shop to cook for a special dinner.  Primarily because we didn't know what the day would hold since if they kept winning, they'd have kept playing.  So, we ordered take-out from Buca di Beppo.  Expensive... hard to swallow the prices but the food is oh so delish!  $19 for a small Caesar salad... which I could have easily made for $5 bucks... maybe $7 if I purchased the GOOD croutons.  But, it was a special day to celebrate special men and so it deserved a special meal.  Period.

But... back to the topic at hand -- Father's Day.  That's today.  It's a day to celebrate dads everywhere who do what they have to do, to make sure what needs to happen happens.  To celebrate men that teach patience, resolve, perseverance, love, respect, humility, tenderness...

To sing the praises of those that choose family over all...

To thank men who sit and play Barbies, or have tea parties, or learn to braid hair for their little girls.  To men who teach their daughters boundaries and respect and who won't let them leave the house looking less than honorable.

For men teaching their sons how to be respectable husbands and fathers themselves... men who set the example and raise the bar just a little higher... givign their boys large shoes to fill

For men that realize that their family is worth more than one more drink.... one more smoke... one more hour at the office.

Men that invest their time and give of themselves to their children. 

This is not only for "fathers" or "dads" but it's for men everywhere that step up to mentor other children providing a comforting, loving role model.  

For men, fathers, uncles, brothers, friends... who step up to the plate to counsel... or stand by with an extended hand to pick us up as we fell or stumbled a few times along the way.  

I feel fortunate to have the best dad on the planet.  Sensible, non-judgmental, honorable, patient, calm, loving, giving... he's everything I think a good dad should be... and then some!

Today, I honor him, my dad, Larry Wesson.  Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  I love you!

Sunday Stealing

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing  where they will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. This week's questions come from Do These Shoes Match This Purse?

What is your ring size?  Small.  4 3/4  I have little hands.

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How often do you wear jewelry?  Like... rare, if ever.

When was the last time you consumed alcohol?  June 7 I had two Cape Cods at a nice restaurant.  I wouldn't shut up.  I never drink.

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Any big plans for the summer?  Play taxi and ATM to two busy boys, love on the third.

What is your favorite comfort food?  Hmmmm... biscuits and gravy or chicken fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes (with gravy), green beans and biscuits!  

Do you prefer broccoli or asparagus?  Yes.  I love them both equally, but I do hate that asparagus makes your pee stink.

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What color are your bedroom walls?  Taupe...but that's about to change since Benji gave me a nice hole in the wall that needs to be patched now.  I'm thinking a nice shade of blue/grey or a homey cream.  We shall see.

With whom do you live?  Hubs, 3 boys, 3 dogs, a host of dust bunnies and a partridge in a pear tree.

Which Star Wars movie is your favorite?  DO NOT MAKE ME PICK!  I love the first three!  They were light years ahead of their time.  And the new ones that are the new 1, 2, and 3 ... won't even go see them!  NO I WON'T!

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How about Harry Potter?  I LOVE THEM ALL!  DO NOT MAKE ME CHOOSE FAVORITES!  I hate you!

What was the last movie you saw in theaters?  The Croods in 3D.  I don't recommend that with a 2 year old.  

Did you get the popcorn or candy?  No.  

What is the most romantic text in your inbox?  I don't have any.  I'm a little OCD and delete everything.  

Have you ever played miniature golf on a date?  Yes.  

What’s a phrase you overuse?  Are you freakin' kidding me?

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Do you always use good grammar?  I would say in formal communications, 100 percent of the time.  Conversationally, it's probably closer to about 80-90 percent.  Spell check, auto correct and typing with my thumbs tends to run a great deal of punctuation.... as does voice to text.  My friends call me the Grammar Nazi.  It's true.

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Do you have an accent or a speech impediment?  No.  Unless, however, you count the fact that when I'm quite tired my Texas drawl comes out juuuuuuust a tad.

What did you eat today?  After my workout I had a vanilla protein shake with fat free milk and water.  For breakfast, I scrambled two eggs and two egg whites.  For lunch I had  a tuna salad made with mustard, eggs, apples and pickle relish.

What do you do at work? I work at home.  I never 

Do you know the rules to any sports?  Explicitly?  No.  Generally, yes.  

Do you prefer to watch or play sports?  Play.  I'd rather play than watch... though I'd rather watch my boys play if I have to watch.

What is your favorite kind of hat to wear?  Baseball cap!

Do you pray?  Nope.

To whom do you pray?  No one.


What is the closest mountain to your house?  You know, I have no idea.  I know they have "mountains" in Oklahoma.... but those are just hills in my opinion.

What size engine is in your vehicle?  Six hamsters in a wheel.

What do you need to do tomorrow?  Eat, sleep, breathe, pee... work out... play taxi... feed children... 

Day 15 - Tumblr

I started a Tumblr account a week or two ago...but a) I haven't figured out the purpose and b) I don't know how to follow people.  So asking me who my favorites are is premature as I have none... and even if I had a lot, I'd still likely have none.  :)

http://mamadriggs.tumblr.com/


I have no idea what that is... for...but that's me on Tumblr.