Okay, this is some funny stuff. Miracle (Sierra) was about five years old when she FIRST rode this ride. THIS is the video of that first time. She was so scared and I thought I would never get her on it again. After this first ride, she wanted to go on it again and again and AGAIN!
To this day, this is one of her favorite rides and this video makes us both laugh to tears almost. Actually, my mom says this ride is a form of child abuse. I just LOVE how she starts out so excited, happy and carefree! She has no idea what she is actually in for.
But, all joking aside I had to film this video from the DVD/TV so it's definitely not as good as the original. You should get the idea!
October 4, 2011
October 3, 2011
Boys vs Men
I really liked the below snippet that I read... re-read and then had to steal, of course, to share.
It gives me some great ponderence-ness to this. The blurb should be self-explanatory, really.
Sharing....
Boys ask questions ---- Men give answers!!!
Boys play house ---- Men build homes!!!
Boys shack up ---- Men get married!!!
Boys make babies ---- Men raise children!!!
A man will raise his and someone else's!!!
Boys invent excuses for failure --- Men produce strategies for success!!!
Boys look for somebody to take care of them --- Men look for someone to take care of!!!
Boys seek popularity --- Men demand respect and know how to give it!
It gives me some great ponderence-ness to this. The blurb should be self-explanatory, really.
Sharing....
Boys ask questions ---- Men give answers!!!
Boys play house ---- Men build homes!!!
Boys shack up ---- Men get married!!!
Boys make babies ---- Men raise children!!!
A man will raise his and someone else's!!!
Boys invent excuses for failure --- Men produce strategies for success!!!
Boys look for somebody to take care of them --- Men look for someone to take care of!!!
Boys seek popularity --- Men demand respect and know how to give it!
#41 of the top 50 blogs in: single parent
Well, this is an unprecedented level from me in the world of miscellaneous trivial accomplishments....
My singlemommyrants is number 41 of 50 blogs... See, see? And I only have two followers.
Yay for me.... Hahahah!
My singlemommyrants is number 41 of 50 blogs... See, see? And I only have two followers.
Yay for me.... Hahahah!
June 14, 2011
A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old)
Okay, fine! Here's the second and last one for today... again, copied from an email a friend sent me. Seems to be so true.
So, of course, you have to take these with a grain of salt... like, this really happened, but it makes for a nice read and makes you think a bit.
**************
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''
The six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
So, of course, you have to take these with a grain of salt... like, this really happened, but it makes for a nice read and makes you think a bit.
**************
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''
The six-year-old continued,''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
The blind girl...
I read this again today. It was sent by a friend and it makes you kind of stop and think...
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:
"Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine."
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift.
-- Today before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak.
-- Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.
-- Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
-- Today before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.
-- Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
-- When you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
-- And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, "If I could only see the world, I will marry you."
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying:
"Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine."
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift.
-- Today before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak.
-- Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.
-- Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.
-- Today before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.
-- Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
-- When you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
-- And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: you're alive and still around.
June 6, 2011
"Is my mommy dead?"
I guess you really don't know how much your kids know of something until they start asking questions. Some things just aren't talked about that often. Finding that right time, or that right way to talk about touchy subjects is a difficult thing to do.
We were all on our way to a bar-b-que this weekend and I was talking to my nephew's friend about how she is half Native American like Miracle is. It was a very interesting conversation as you wouldn't guess in a million years that she has anything other than Anglo-Saxon in her blood. She just seems to tan easily. That's the only giveaway and even then, you'd have to really notice it.
So... Miracle shoots me this question from the back seat, ever so randomly:
We were all on our way to a bar-b-que this weekend and I was talking to my nephew's friend about how she is half Native American like Miracle is. It was a very interesting conversation as you wouldn't guess in a million years that she has anything other than Anglo-Saxon in her blood. She just seems to tan easily. That's the only giveaway and even then, you'd have to really notice it.
So... Miracle shoots me this question from the back seat, ever so randomly:
"Is my mommy dead?"
Well, of course, that threw me for a HUGE loop and I had to pause to figure out what to say. Making a little light of it I said "no, I'm right here driving the car". Silence. Then I asked what she meant and if there was something she really wanted to know. Silence.
We have always been honest and open around her about her adoption and have answered her very few questions over the past few years, but this one came from so far in left field! I asked her if she meant her birthmom and she responded with a tiny reply of confirmation.
Of course, I don't know if the woman is alive or dead, incarcerated or not, living here or back on the reservation... or living in a van down by the river (thanks, Chris Farley!). Sometimes I wish I did know, but with her history it would be nearly impossible to find her. Even if I had a social security number, that would be one of about 50 they found that she had. But, I digress!
One thing Miracle did ask me in the car that gave me a bit of a twang in my heart was that if it would be okay if she could see her. I gave her the canned answer of "not right now", but if she wanted to when she was older she would definitely have my permission. She then asked if I could be there with her. Well, there went that heart twang again. I told her that I would definitely be there with her if she wanted me to be.
I love that little girl of mine!!!
April 18, 2011
On being bullied....
Bullying is sad, pathetic, angering, debilitating and just down right nasty! It's unbelievable what has been reported in the news about teen bullying and just bullying in general.
With this news also came memories of other gradeschool events and other classmates opened up and shared with me their own memories of being bullied...
I'll never forget in about second grade. There was a girl named LeeAnn. LeeAnn was a very quiet and shy child, but she was also "slow". As kids we all just knew that she was different, but never really understood why. With a lot in life, kids are not privvy to the details of such things. LeeAnn lived in my housing tract about four streets over and none of the kids would cross in front of her house because her mom was "a witch". Yes, in modern society those folklores of strange people that may not fit the norm are labeled very creatively. Poor LeeAnn was teased in school... immensely and relentlessly. Gaggles of kids are good individually, but when you get them together, they become a mob -- a sometimes very sinister mob. How they transform like that is still beyond me to this day.
One day in class LeeAnn had a seizure. It was bad. Well, witnessing that for most would be horrific and terrifying. For some of us it really was, but sadly for others it was just another door that opened up to give license to tease poor LeeAnn even more.
All I can really remember during that short period in class was someone running to get the teacher from somewhere else in teacherland outside our room, a group of kids standing there staring in sheer horror and other kids laughing. I'll never forget, and I don't even know how this came into my little seven year old brain, that I put my foot under LeeAnn's head to keep it from bouncing repeatedly on the floor as foam was coming out of her mouth and her eyes rolling up into her head. Thinking now, I should have wanted to run out the door, arms flailing!
I don't remember how much time after that day had passed. She was out of school for awhile. At one point my friend and I were determined to get to know LeeAnn. Along with a really good group of my close friends, we never partook in the events of breaking LeeAnn down and bullying her. We tried to become more than just classmates to her. We went to her home and played, baked cookies and stuck up for her when the other kids grew their horns around her.
And then she vanished. She and her family moved away to I have no idea where. LeeAnn never really warmed up to us 100%. I think it was out of trust, or MIStrust as the case may be, but also maybe a little because my friend and I started to get bullied. I'll never really know.
I didn't care.... Thinking back I think I just wanted to let her know that we weren't all bad.
Three very good friends have experienced bullying through their young kids. From the beginning of time, kids have been "not so nice" so, this isn't new and I'm not just having a "revelation" or an "epiphany"!! About a couple years ago I was "reunited" with the name of a gradeshool bully and her cohort that ABSOLUTELY tortured me and made me afraid to be on the playground alone. It wasn't until very recently that I was told of some Kharmic payback news that, yes, made be feel a little better.
With this news also came memories of other gradeschool events and other classmates opened up and shared with me their own memories of being bullied...
I'll never forget in about second grade. There was a girl named LeeAnn. LeeAnn was a very quiet and shy child, but she was also "slow". As kids we all just knew that she was different, but never really understood why. With a lot in life, kids are not privvy to the details of such things. LeeAnn lived in my housing tract about four streets over and none of the kids would cross in front of her house because her mom was "a witch". Yes, in modern society those folklores of strange people that may not fit the norm are labeled very creatively. Poor LeeAnn was teased in school... immensely and relentlessly. Gaggles of kids are good individually, but when you get them together, they become a mob -- a sometimes very sinister mob. How they transform like that is still beyond me to this day.
One day in class LeeAnn had a seizure. It was bad. Well, witnessing that for most would be horrific and terrifying. For some of us it really was, but sadly for others it was just another door that opened up to give license to tease poor LeeAnn even more.
All I can really remember during that short period in class was someone running to get the teacher from somewhere else in teacherland outside our room, a group of kids standing there staring in sheer horror and other kids laughing. I'll never forget, and I don't even know how this came into my little seven year old brain, that I put my foot under LeeAnn's head to keep it from bouncing repeatedly on the floor as foam was coming out of her mouth and her eyes rolling up into her head. Thinking now, I should have wanted to run out the door, arms flailing!
I don't remember how much time after that day had passed. She was out of school for awhile. At one point my friend and I were determined to get to know LeeAnn. Along with a really good group of my close friends, we never partook in the events of breaking LeeAnn down and bullying her. We tried to become more than just classmates to her. We went to her home and played, baked cookies and stuck up for her when the other kids grew their horns around her.
And then she vanished. She and her family moved away to I have no idea where. LeeAnn never really warmed up to us 100%. I think it was out of trust, or MIStrust as the case may be, but also maybe a little because my friend and I started to get bullied. I'll never really know.
I didn't care.... Thinking back I think I just wanted to let her know that we weren't all bad.
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