PC Poo-Poo

So, I was listening to the Talk Radio the other day. Rush Limbaugh, I believe. He reported on two very sad stories of Political Correctness, direct from two North-East school systems, as if that's hard to believe. (One in New York and one in Needham, MA) The stories made me shake my head and wonder what has happened to us?

Although, perhaps some readers might agree with the actions. I'll let you decide.

Ok, Story #1 from Needham...

A Mother of Three Children made a complaint to a Principal of a School in Needham. Two of her children had made Honor Roll, one had not. She complained to the principal that the publishing of the list of Honor Roll students was ruining the self-esteem of her third child. So, the Principal actually retracted the publishing of the Honor Roll List!


Story #2, from New York...

A certain bus driver in a New York School System bears a resemblance to Santa Claus. During the Holiday Season he wears a Santa Hat. (He doesn't act like Santa, he doesn't play Christmas music...he justs wears the hat) An Elementary School student told their parents, who complained to the bus company, that his bus driver was wearing a Santa Hat. The parents contended that the child did not believe in Santa and was offended by the representation the bus driver was implying. After hearing the complaint, the company requested that the driver not wear his hat, but the driver refused to comply.


Now, if you read my blog you'd have guessed already that I think these stories represent the downward spiral of the American People. I wonder, is this what our Grandparents felt when they saw the changes that were made when they were our age (a big one that comes to mind is the end of segregation)? That feeling of wondering why people can't just let things be...the feeling that people are so absorbed in themselves that they can't even see how they are ruining a wonderful tradition. Or the fact that by trying to protect their child from a "blow" to their "self-esteem", they are creating a monster???

Shouldn't you WANT your child to feel bad that he was the only one in the family that didn't make Honor Roll? Although I'm sure that this parent and their child probably have some sob story about some awful teacher that kept the child off the Honor Roll because they gave him a "C" instead of a "B", because the teacher was mean and wouldn't accept the kid's homework (Translation: It was probably like a week late or was probably done improperly, and they demanded credit anyway) Isn't this parent just teaching their children that when something doesn't go your way, it's not your fault, it's because someone else is out to get you? Is that really the attiditude we want our children to grow up with?

Now, as far as this hat issue is concerned, BAH HUMBUG on those stupid parents. Here's my theory on Christmas: It's a time to re-live the Magic of Childhood. Santa should be treated like a favorite Grandparent, who loves you no matter what and spoils you silly for no reason. He's a representation of all the good that is left in our world. He inspires generosity and compassion. Now, whther or not you see the resemblance between Santa and God (and/or Jesus), and whether or not you believe in any religion, Santa is still a cultural inspiration, not a religious icon. So it doesn't matter what religion you are. You can still celebrate the season by spreading the joy that Santa represents. Wear a Santa Hat. Play a little Holiday Music. Make some fudge, give it away. Put a few bucks in the Salvation Army Bucket. Bring a gift to Toys for Tots. I promise you, it will give you a way better feeling than making a complaint to some company about how offensive you find their Holiday Spirit. I mean, really, do you have to be so bitter?

I'm still an American at heart, though. I believe if that's how you want to feel, it's your business. You can set a Poor Example for your children, or be a Scrooge if you want. I won't stop you. But I don't expect you to try to stop me, either. This is a Free Country, where people of all different philosophies are meant to live together. And, P.S., it's a Democracy, so Majority Rules. Therefore, just because you, as one person, are upset, it doesn't mean things should change. The majority of us like it this way. If you think it's so bad here, why don't you try living somewhere else? Don't worry, when you come crawling back, we'll take you in. We're America. We're good that way.

What do you think?

Whhhhoooooshhhhh

That's what the past three weeks have felt like. A Grand Wind that blew right over my life, leaving it in a crazy jumble that I have been scrambling to put back together.

I really thought that following Thanksgiving, I was on a good track. I had nice ideas for Christmas presents going, I had three weeks to get some homemade stuff done, and I was done with the FSG, leaving me with many more nights at home, and far less time devoted to it while at home.

However!!!!

Here I am, hardly having Blogged in those three weeks, and still not done with Christmas Preparation. I still have two sets of gifts to send out...though one is because I thought I had the address, and I didn't and the other is because I forgot to put it in the box it was supposed to go in.

I am at a loss for Stocking Stuffers for the man. I have been to Home Depot, Target, "The Mall" (including Sears), and Wal-Mart. I have three things. My next stop is Best Buy, though how I am going to go there without him finding out is beyond me.

I also still need to get gifts for my Grandparents ($10 Tickets form Foxwoods, and a Pic of James) and my Grandfather's Girlfriend. I think that's going to be some Homemade Candied Nuts.

Still, the point is that this year I really, really thought I was going to be ahead of the game. Although I do have to admit I did about 80% better than last year. That is, 80% of my gifts were done by the "15th Deadline". Not bad for a procrastinator. My hope is that every year, I'll get a little better. Oh, and no more home-making gifts with less than a month to go. It's just a down-right silly idea.

In a related issue comes my New Year's Resolution.

In general, I resolve to become a more "Do It Now" kind of gal. Like, for example, I will clean the house and do the laundry (INCLUDING putting it away) before I play online.

In specific, I resolve to get James' Scrapbook(s) done. Most likely not before the next baby is born, but that's my hope...

I'll keep you updated (another specific resolution)...


On a Pregnancy Note, I just finishied an entire box of (12) Mini Quiches for dinner. Sooooo yummy!

Cat Scratch Fever

I totally forgot that I promised to blog about this.

My old (actually oldest by a slight margin) dear friend was in town over Thanksgiving. She came to stay with me one night and we had a great time!!! We spent most of the day scratching lottery tickets like crazy women. We scratched at the mall while the boys played in the romper room. That time, we had bought one of each kind of ticket and won about $50. An improbable occurance for sure!! We scratched in the gas station parking lot. We even scratched in the car waiting for our D-Angelo's. Ahhh, the joy of making those little gas station attendants work for their money. They really don't like it, you know. And, they get really pissy when you don't scratch off the ticket code and they have to do it themselves. Many attendants have stated this fact to me, saying "You really need to scratch off the code so we don't have to." Obviously, that statement could be a testimony to the reason why they only work at a gas station. Perhaps "working" isn't quite a priority for them, you think????

Just thinking about that day makes me itchy with anticipation for Christmas and the Lottery Ticket Extravaganza that awaits...Remember people, it's "GO BIG OR GO HOME!"

Visiting with Andrea (and Braden!) really made me wish she were here instead of Oklahoma. (Insert audience "Awwwww..." here) You know that great feeling you get around old friends, like no time has passed? That is what it was like for me, yet even more eerie because it also felt completely natural that our sons were with us too. Like it had always been that way...Me & James and Andrea & Braden. The boys got along famously, like a pair of toddlers who could have been brothers. Everything was "MINE! MINE! MINE!" yet they entertained each other for the whole day, even strapped down to their car seats in the gas station parking lot for a half hour...Don't worry, we bribed them with "no-nuts" (as James would say) ...

Side note!! Funny story here. The other night, Art went into the gas station to buy some stuff and James said "Oh! No-nuts!", because the donut shop is in the gas station. The crazy kid knows which place we go for donuts even if we aren't in the drive-thru. So I called Art inside the store and told him he best not come out without donuts for his son...And when Art came out with the container of donut holes, James exclaimed "Daddy has no-nuts!!!!" Classic!!!! Hehehehe...

Oh! Andrea and I also went to Mohegan that day. We took turns popping $20s into machines, and ate at Johnny Rockets (their Tuna Melts are a pregnancy favorite of mine). I walked away from the Double Downs when I won my $40 back. Poor Andrea...she couldn't win anywhere!! But don't feel bad, because those casinos at home in Okie have treated her well... ;)

Well, I'm off now to begin the whirlwind of a week that will be my "Christmas to-do's" week. Today is a trip to Jo-Anns to get more supplies for a scrapbook gift, and possibly a card-making kit if they have it. Oh, and I also have to make cookies and a dinner casserole for some ladies from the boat that just had babies. I got the reminder call last night...I had promised someone like a week and a half ago that I would help her. I did so because it's NOT related to the FSG. It is for people who are in it, but long story short some people from the FSG already made them meals without telling anyone (a familiar story!!!) So anyways, have to add that to today's list too. I plan on going easy, with American Chop Suey and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Shouldn't take more than and hour or so. I would also like to finish decorating the house for Christmas, before Christmas actually gets here...

"This Kid Is Crazy!"

That's James' new phrase. He likes to use it when he jumps off of anything higher than 12 inches. Note to those whose children have not yet reached toddler age: They hear everything you say and remember it, even if you're not talking to THEM.

Well, I have no excuse for myself. My computer has been but a mere vessel for gambling. I just keep playing, and playing, and playing...but I'm not putting any crazy amount of money in. I just keep winning my money back so I keep playing. However, that is not to say that I haven't been busy. The week before Thanksgiving, Art went "Out to Sea". Really they never left the pier but they were incommunicado. And he came back for the night on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, but in between I had been running up to my parent's house to help either my Mom or my Brother with various school assignments. Then I came home, did some cooking and cleaning there, and went back to my parent's for the Holiday. Since then, Art has been home on Leave. And, well, you know how it goes when the hubby is on vacation. It's like a tornado hits your life.



I do have news, though, for those who haven't heard it...

We're having another boy!!! The name has been mentioned in the past, not here, but personally to a lot of people. We're keeping it under wraps now. You'll have to wait for April for the next revelation.

I've set a goal for myself. All X-mas duties will be completed by The 15th. So, that means finishing all the shopping, sending out all cards, making all the fudge & sending it out and sending out all the other gifts...Given a week, I can do it! As long as I can resisit the urge to Double-Click on that little "b" icon on my desktop.

Oh, and finally, for the Pee-Ace de Resis-Tanz...

We got a "New Table" the other day.