Ummm ...

Have you ever just had nothing to say? I get like that sometimes. Sometimes it's because I really have nothing to say. If pressed I can come up with something, but times like that I just have nothing to say. It's all been said before, why repeat it kind of a mood.

Other times, I have nothing to say because I just can't form the words in my head and it is better if I just say nothing at all. I can't seem to formulate a thought or get my point across. I just draw a blank and I know that if I sat and really thought about it I could come up with something thoughtful and profound, but I just don't feel like it. I just kind of sit and am thoughtful but the brain cells are just on vacation.

Today, I think I am a little of both. I can't think of anything worthwhile to say plus I'm sure it has all been said before. I have things I could say and I could ramble (which is kind of what I am doing) and go on and on about things like politics, movies, the world, etc... but I am just not in the mood and the brain cells are not forming anything that could be of use anyway.

I'm mush. That's what it is. I've become a human form of oatmeal and just need to regenerate my brain back to a thinking human being.

Well I'm glad it's the weekend. Viva la oatmeal!

Beware!

Teenagers are moody. One minute they can be all smiles and then as if an internal switch has been turned they get pouty or angry then 5 minutes later they can be very sweet. It's hormones mixed with the urge to be grownup.

WARNING!! Living with a teenager can be messy! You could lose a hand people!

Just kidding, well sort of. Mine can turn on a dime. Things that were ok to say or do a few years ago may not go over so well now. Especially if the answer to the question is no. Then look out.

Take my weekend. Patrick was in his "I'm growing up so why can't I do certain things and you are such mean parents and why can't you leave me alone to do my own thing, yet I want stuff from you so I'll hang around until I get it and if I don't look out" stage. ALL weekend he acted so mature with on and off crankiness. So it caught me off guard when we were in Walmart and he starts rubbing his hands together to shock me. He thought this was the funniest thing. Him shocking me and me laughing and telling him to stop. Throughout Walmart he would sneak up on me and shock me and then laugh when I would swat at him to get away. It was like I had my boy back. He still looked like the young man that I am getting used to seeing but it was such a light time with the moodiness was gone. It was nice to share the silliness with a boy that I found out is the same height as I am right now.

Enjoying the moments, however brief they may be, is what growing up with a teenager means. And of course having the first aid ready when he bites the hand that feeds him.

It's a Life People!

With the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade this week and the announcement that abortions are declining, the TN Legislature is set to vote on an amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 127) that would remove all guarantees for the right to an abortion in the state constitution.

The TN Supreme Court in 2000 ruled that women had a fundamental right to abortion in our state. As a result the abortion policy in Tennessee is basically 'abortion on demand' until viability. Since 2004 the legislature has tried to pass SJR 127. It did pass the Senate in 2004 and 2006, only to be defeated in a House subcommittee each time.

The amendment would put the following into the constitution: “Nothing in this constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.”

For many reasons I agree and applaud the senators and representatives that are trying to do the right thing. Agreed some may be doing it because it's an election year, however, I believe overall that they are trying to do what is right.

When faced with a moral obligation unfortunately many women choose the selfish way out. However, what happens is that after the fact the mental anguish that accompanies them for years is undeniable. I know several women who have said over the years "my child would be x number of years by now." Even the woman behind the Roe v. Wade case has changed her mind. A life is a life no matter how small. The inception of life is part of a greater plan. What right do we have to pick and choose who lives just because it may be an inconvenience to us.

I urge you to contact your senator and representative and let them know how you feel about this issue. Because it is an election year they are more apt to actually listen to their constituents.

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/

http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SJR0127.pdf

Intertwined in Life

On any given day people are put in our path for no apparent reason. Whether they are on the shuttle to work, in the elevator, in line with you at a store or even in the hallway where you work. For the most part you pass them by. Some might be friends and you stop and talk and maybe share. Some are people you only see once in awhile and some you may never see again. Some are people that are in your life for a very log time.

Seasonal - I had a very good friend that I thought was in my life till the end, but it was time for her to leave my life and I hers. I don't really know why, but I guess it has to do with time being up - we learned what we needed from each other. Another person that I thought was my friend brought me to God and taught me many things, but she was only in my life for a short period of time.

Continual - I have another friend that I have known for a very long time. She is still in my life and even though at times it seemed that we were going our separate ways we are still sharing. I believe the Lord brought her closer into my path because of a greater purpose. I am only beginning to see why - but I may never know all the reasons. Strangely enough I am ok with that. I am a constant in her life where there wasn't one and I think that is partly why I was brought into her life, that and the need for strength. I think she is in my life to keep me humble, help me to be more caring and to bring me closer to God.

Another friend and I have been friends for a long time too. It has grown from just something superficial and casual to something more (at least that is what I think). She's not around everyday and I may not see or hear from her for long period of times but she is always in my thoughts and I know is around even if it's not physically.

I had a co-worker that I worked closely with for almost 2 years. She helped me with patience. Boy O Boy did she help me with patience. I also cross the path of our shuttle bus driver. He is always cheerful, even in traffic, and is always pleasant. When I ride in his shuttle I always start the day off with a smile because he is such a nice man and has such a nice attitude.

Do all of these people have a reason for crossing my path? Yes and maybe I have a reason for crossing their path. After all it's not all about me. What is wonderful is that you may never know what the reason was. It could just be someone in line at Starbucks that you may never see again or it may be a person that is in your life for a very long time. I always like thinking that a person's life is like the yarn in a tapestry. Interwoven with so many other strands, connected in part and then moving off into another direction. But each one touches at some point and that is what creates the whole pattern. That is what the Creator had in mind. Each one of us touching, intertwined for a greater purpose.

Compromising

On the same subject as before, I still feel the need to think this through. I am outnumbered at my house right now. 2 Christians (1 who is impressionable) living with 3 non-Christians. Since I am gone most of the day because of work I am not around to make sure that my thoughts and wishes are being taken care of. I have to go on the hope that the other adults know what I want to be done and hope that they do it. Because apparently the other little Christian likes to get away with stuff because I'm not there.

I started last night trying not to compromise. There was a show on tv that we all really wanted to see. I gave it one shot and within 3 minutes I changed the channel because it failed the one strike and your off. It was hard because we all wanted to see it. So, Michael went in the bedroom to watch the show, while Patrick and I stayed in the living room watching Ninja Warrior. First step was ok, but I think I got off easy. I mean my child didn't complain much and another show was on to take the place of the one we didn't watch, so it was an easy first step. I'm aware enough that not all of the battles are going to be that easy.

Overall, society is against me. An example is last Friday we were watching Wheel of Fortune at 6:30 p.m. Now one would think that this is a family show and thus the commercials would be a little more discreet. Nope. Back to back commercials regarding an adult show where a woman says to her boyfriend "We've been seeing each other for awhile, I think it's time we have sex." While showing them partially naked and kissing. Next comes the commercial for the new show "How to look good naked". This commercial shows women in their underwear standing in front of a mirror or walking around with Carson Kressley. Tell me how this is family friendly. I'm sorry, I might be naive but I don't want my son looking at women in their underwear until his wedding night. Above all that, why are these commericals being shown during a family show! If it were later and it was one of the nightly shows where the show is PG or PG13/14 then I understand (I still don't approve, but I understand).

So this brings up the question, since it's hard to find a family friendly show that is not a cartoon (and then even the humor sometimes is suggestive), do I stop watching the show because the commercials are not family friendly and the network is getting away from family oriented shows or do I grasp the remote and change it every time a commercial or something else comes on that is objectionable. I have parental locks on almost every channel and on anything that is PG and up. Yet even then questionable things still pop up. It feels like the world is winning, which is so sad. How far is compromising? I mean sometimes I don't even know that I'm doing it. It seems to be an every day, every minute, every second struggle, evaluation. It's overwhelming. It's a war. Unfortunately I am out gunned and out manned and I feel like I am losing not only the battle but the war.