Starting January 1, I'm starting a project called A Year in Pictures. Photography is really one of my favorite hobbies.
I love to take pictures.
I love to look at pictures.
I love to scrapbook pictures.
I love pictures.
Of anything, anyone, anywhere.
I'm really excited to start this project, I just hope I actually do take a picture each day intentionally for this project. Oh, I'm not worried that I won't take 365 pictures. Trust me I've taken more than that in a single day. I just want to be intentional about the pictures I take and the stories I tell with them.
I haven't quite decided what the story will be yet, but when I do, I will let you all know.
I've thought of doing a different theme each month, but I tend to get bored with that kind of thing.
So then I was thinking of making this project about something other than photographs of people. Shooting only non human subjects: cars, animals, cups, food, plants, you get the idea.
Again, I will probably get bored with that. So for now there is no theme, but there is a story to tell.
I want each picture to have meaning. If I take a picture of the stove I want it to be because I cooked an amazing meal.
If I take a picture of my bathroom I want it to be because I had an epiphany in there. Oh come on, you know you do your best thinking on the toilet or in the shower too!
So I want this project to have intentionality behind it because I want it to mean something. I don't want 365 random photos at the end of the year. I usually have something like that anyway LOL
So if there is something you would like to see in this project let me know, I will try to make it happen and stay tuned, I'm sure there are bound to be some interesting photos coming your way via SingleMom4God!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
To write a Christmas letter or not to...
That is the question. I've only ever done one Christmas letter, it was 3 years ago for Nate's first Christmas. There were a lot of changes going on that year: Nate was born, I moved to Iowa from Chicago, I started a new job, blah blah blah....
I was thinking of doing another one this year, like an every 3 year kinda thing LOL, but I heard some DJ's this morning talking about Christmas letters and I kind of feel dumb for sending one. The 2 male DJ's suggested that most Christmas letters are to brag about your kids and the amazing things they are doing. And they are right, except I don't see it as bragging. I see it as catching all of my dear friends and family up on my interesting and imaginative son. And of course including little tidbits about myself as well!
The female DJ had a different take on them. She really enjoys getting Christmas letters. She said that she puts them up on her refrigerator and reads them over and over again. She really enjoys hearing about other families and what is going on with them throughout the year. This is when one of the male DJ's said, "That's what Facebook is for."
Maybe he has a point. Maybe Christmas letters are becoming a thing of the past, just like snail mail. Shoot we don't even have next day delivery from the Postal Service beginning next year. And who can blame them? With the way the internet and email has taken over, no one uses postal mail for anything anymore. We don't really need to. Contracts that previously needed to be mailed or delivered via courier can now be emailed and accepted with an electronic signature. Birthday cards can now be sent via email as an ecard. Bills can be emailed and paid online.
However, the one thing that should never be done online is a Christmas card. At least in my opinion anyway. Just like a love letter, a Christmas card should be sent through the mail. I just think it is more personal. But maybe this doesn't hold true for the Christmas letter. Maybe it really is ok to allow everything you update your status with on Facebook be enough.
I did like what one of the male DJ's had to say. Instead of just sending a letter that details or outlines your family's life for the past year, he and his family find something that God used or did in their lives and create a devotional out of it. They ask everyone they send it to, to find a way to do the devotional together as a family and see how it could apply to each of their lives.
So if you are one of the many receiving a Christmas card from me this year, you may or may not find a Christmas letter enclosed, but if you do, know this...I wrote it with my heart because I wanted to include you in the many things that happen throughout our year.
I was thinking of doing another one this year, like an every 3 year kinda thing LOL, but I heard some DJ's this morning talking about Christmas letters and I kind of feel dumb for sending one. The 2 male DJ's suggested that most Christmas letters are to brag about your kids and the amazing things they are doing. And they are right, except I don't see it as bragging. I see it as catching all of my dear friends and family up on my interesting and imaginative son. And of course including little tidbits about myself as well!
The female DJ had a different take on them. She really enjoys getting Christmas letters. She said that she puts them up on her refrigerator and reads them over and over again. She really enjoys hearing about other families and what is going on with them throughout the year. This is when one of the male DJ's said, "That's what Facebook is for."
Maybe he has a point. Maybe Christmas letters are becoming a thing of the past, just like snail mail. Shoot we don't even have next day delivery from the Postal Service beginning next year. And who can blame them? With the way the internet and email has taken over, no one uses postal mail for anything anymore. We don't really need to. Contracts that previously needed to be mailed or delivered via courier can now be emailed and accepted with an electronic signature. Birthday cards can now be sent via email as an ecard. Bills can be emailed and paid online.
However, the one thing that should never be done online is a Christmas card. At least in my opinion anyway. Just like a love letter, a Christmas card should be sent through the mail. I just think it is more personal. But maybe this doesn't hold true for the Christmas letter. Maybe it really is ok to allow everything you update your status with on Facebook be enough.
I did like what one of the male DJ's had to say. Instead of just sending a letter that details or outlines your family's life for the past year, he and his family find something that God used or did in their lives and create a devotional out of it. They ask everyone they send it to, to find a way to do the devotional together as a family and see how it could apply to each of their lives.
So if you are one of the many receiving a Christmas card from me this year, you may or may not find a Christmas letter enclosed, but if you do, know this...I wrote it with my heart because I wanted to include you in the many things that happen throughout our year.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas Crafting
Did you know Christmas is less than 3 weeks away??? Are you prepared? I am...sort of. Are your Christmas cards in the mail? My cards are addressed but not yet in the mail, maybe I will get to that tomorrow. Are your gifts all purchased? Are they wrapped and under the tree? Do you have a tree yet? It's so much to take in this time of year. I have almost all of my Christmas shopping completed. I still have the jumbo box of Crayola crayons to purchase, you know the one with the sharpener in the back, cuz that's the one every kid wants, and an Isabelle Bloom to buy (for those of you not from the QC, Isabelle Bloom's are statues made out of cement, one is enough for some people, but apparently not my mom), and a couple of cd's or movies. Everything else is purchased...
Everything else being materials for gifts I'm making.
Did I go crazy this year? I think I must have because I decided I wanted to give mostly homemade gifts. Fabulous idea, but I forgot to schedule the time to make these gifts into my life. While I have been blessed to get quite a few of them actually completed, the majority are only partially finished. And a couple are still just ideas floating around in my head, the materials are purchased, but I haven't even begun to create them into the masterpiece they are meant to be.
I honestly love the idea of giving all homemade gifts, but I need to remember to schedule them in my day. I have time scheduled to go to the gym, to work, to spend time in the Bible, I even have quiet time scheduled. I'm a planner, I like to see things written down on paper, so I not only have my calendar in my phone but I carry a paper planner as well. OCD? Quite possibly.
So what am I making you ask?
Well let me tell you...
First I'm making coasters out of tile I got at Lowe's with each family's initial on them. Quite simple and easy to do. Of course I lost the list of families I was going to make them for, so...I am also giving them to Nate's teachers. Originally this is why I was looking for ideas, original gifts for teachers, not just the World's Best Teacher coffee mug. But I liked them so much and they are so cheap to produce that I decided to make them for quite a few families, but as I mentioned above, I lost the list and only remember 10, including the teachers. Hmmm...
Second I'm making homemade beef jerky. I have made 2 batches so far, and I'm going to mix up another batch of marinade this afternoon to get 2 more batches done. The fun thing with this one is I found out you can make beef jerky from ground beef! So I will be trying that as well this Christmas. I will let you know how it turns out.
Third, I'm making "Family Night In" gift bags that have microwave popcorn, homemade jerky, cocoa, and marshmallows in them. Not so much homemade, but put together. I was going to include a gift card to Redbox, but have yet to find such a thing. Considering one to Family Video as well.
Fourth, I'm trying my hand at making fudge. I am not sure how this will turn out, so it is starting as dessert for a dinner party I'm attending Friday night. If it's a hit, I will make some more and add it to the Family Night In bags, if it's not we'll chalk it up to a nice try :)
Fifth, I'm making Nate a fleece blanket with John Deere on one side and Iowa Hawkeyes on the other. His two favorites at the moment. This is another one that I have the two pieces of fleece, I just haven't cut and tied them yet. However, that is going to be a little tricky with Nate around all the time ;) I'll have to ship him to his favorite Great Aunt's house for a few days!
Sixth, I have made some beautiful button trees. Click here to see a pic of what I used as a template. I made 4 of these, 2 with buttons and brown trees, 1 black tree with marbles that you can use in fish tanks and flower vases, and 1 black tree with crystals and rhinestones.
Seventh, I have 8x8 canvases that I have painted one each of blue, green, purple, and pink. I am going to put Nate's handprints and footprints on them in coordinating colors. These are almost done, I just have to get the prints on them.
Wow, I think that is everything. Once I get them all finished I will post each project with step by step instructions on how to do them yourself. I'm having so much fun making them I think I should go into business for myself! Just add it to the to do list: Create own company!
Everything else being materials for gifts I'm making.
Did I go crazy this year? I think I must have because I decided I wanted to give mostly homemade gifts. Fabulous idea, but I forgot to schedule the time to make these gifts into my life. While I have been blessed to get quite a few of them actually completed, the majority are only partially finished. And a couple are still just ideas floating around in my head, the materials are purchased, but I haven't even begun to create them into the masterpiece they are meant to be.
I honestly love the idea of giving all homemade gifts, but I need to remember to schedule them in my day. I have time scheduled to go to the gym, to work, to spend time in the Bible, I even have quiet time scheduled. I'm a planner, I like to see things written down on paper, so I not only have my calendar in my phone but I carry a paper planner as well. OCD? Quite possibly.
So what am I making you ask?
Well let me tell you...
First I'm making coasters out of tile I got at Lowe's with each family's initial on them. Quite simple and easy to do. Of course I lost the list of families I was going to make them for, so...I am also giving them to Nate's teachers. Originally this is why I was looking for ideas, original gifts for teachers, not just the World's Best Teacher coffee mug. But I liked them so much and they are so cheap to produce that I decided to make them for quite a few families, but as I mentioned above, I lost the list and only remember 10, including the teachers. Hmmm...
Second I'm making homemade beef jerky. I have made 2 batches so far, and I'm going to mix up another batch of marinade this afternoon to get 2 more batches done. The fun thing with this one is I found out you can make beef jerky from ground beef! So I will be trying that as well this Christmas. I will let you know how it turns out.
Third, I'm making "Family Night In" gift bags that have microwave popcorn, homemade jerky, cocoa, and marshmallows in them. Not so much homemade, but put together. I was going to include a gift card to Redbox, but have yet to find such a thing. Considering one to Family Video as well.
Fourth, I'm trying my hand at making fudge. I am not sure how this will turn out, so it is starting as dessert for a dinner party I'm attending Friday night. If it's a hit, I will make some more and add it to the Family Night In bags, if it's not we'll chalk it up to a nice try :)
Fifth, I'm making Nate a fleece blanket with John Deere on one side and Iowa Hawkeyes on the other. His two favorites at the moment. This is another one that I have the two pieces of fleece, I just haven't cut and tied them yet. However, that is going to be a little tricky with Nate around all the time ;) I'll have to ship him to his favorite Great Aunt's house for a few days!
Sixth, I have made some beautiful button trees. Click here to see a pic of what I used as a template. I made 4 of these, 2 with buttons and brown trees, 1 black tree with marbles that you can use in fish tanks and flower vases, and 1 black tree with crystals and rhinestones.
Seventh, I have 8x8 canvases that I have painted one each of blue, green, purple, and pink. I am going to put Nate's handprints and footprints on them in coordinating colors. These are almost done, I just have to get the prints on them.
Wow, I think that is everything. Once I get them all finished I will post each project with step by step instructions on how to do them yourself. I'm having so much fun making them I think I should go into business for myself! Just add it to the to do list: Create own company!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sunday nights
It's Sunday night, Nate and I are settled in at a friend's house (I'm house/cat sitting while they enjoy Jamaica) watching Curious George 2. I thoroughly enjoy this time every Sunday night. We don't always watch a movie, sometimes we color, play games, what ever we feel like doing, tonight we felt like chillin out and watching a movie. And I love it. This is my favorite day of the week, my favorite time of the day, my favorite.
Nate is only going to be little for a couple more years, and who knows how many Sunday evenings I have left with him before he decides he is too cool to hang with mom. But I'm going to enjoy them while I can. (He is currently sitting to my left, holding my ear while he appears completely engrossed in George. He also looks like he is going to pass out any moment from complete exhaustion, he's been up since 5am!) So from now on after 5pm is mommy and Nate time on Sunday nights. It always has been, but I haven't always been good about making sure we take advantage of it. I would plan things with my friends, he would be at a family member's house or a friends. But going forward I'm going to do the best I can to make sure we spend Sunday evenings together, as a family. Life is so busy already, we need to slow down and enjoy it while we can.
For example, this coming week, the only night we are home is Monday night, and that is only because the cable guy is coming to install internet, otherwise we would probably have something scheduled. Tuesday night is the last night of a class I'm taking at church, Wednesday is my week to serve at youth group, Thursday night we have a play date at Chik Fil A with a boy from school (I will let you know how that goes, I'm a little hesitant on this one), Friday I'm having dinner with a friend and our lead pastor, Saturday I have an Avon event during the day and a Christmas party that night. Then it's Sunday again and other than church we have nothing planned. Thank God!
Why do we do this to ourselves? Do we think we are going to miss out if we aren't constantly on the go? I have no idea, but I'm going to start scheduling family time with Nate so we don't miss each other. Some might think it is sad that I have to schedule time with my son, but I look at it as a non negotiable. Most work schedules are non negotiable. For some sports schedules are non negotiable. Others piano lesson schedules are non negotiable. Well for me my Nate time is non negotiable. So if you want to hang, let me just give you a run down of my schedule so you can fit me in ;)
Sunday - Family day
Monday - Work in the evening
Tuesday - Life group
Wednesday - Youth group (4 weeks on 2 weeks off, check with me)
Thursday - Work in the evening
Friday - available
Saturday - available
So you can see life is pretty full in our household, and that's only a brief look at what we have going on, that doesn't include play dates, sports, etc...
I have to run because I want to snuggle with the cutest 4 year old I know. Enjoy your Sunday night.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
True love
Freedom from retail is much greater than I ever expected. This is my first holiday season NOT working retail in more than 15 years! Whoa!
Now some of you are probably thinking, dude I thought you were crazy before, now I KNOW you are. And you might be right, but for about 17 years of my life (half of my life for those of you doing the math) I was one of those freaks of nature who loved retail, especially the holidays! Black Friday was always my favorite day to work, even though I knew someone would inevitably come in and try and ruin my day, I still loved every minute of it. I loved the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and of Black Friday itself. I loved getting up early and listening to Christmas music on a 4 hour loop for a 10-12 hour day. I loved putting up the sale signs and memorizing the deals of the day for whatever company I happened to be with that year. I loved upselling whoever shopped my store that day. It didn't matter if I was a manager or a sales associate, I loved working Black Friday.
Are you seeing a theme here? I LOVED WORKING BLACK FRIDAY. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else on that day. I was never disappointed that I wasn't one of the lucky ones getting the deals at Wally World, Best Buy, Target, or Toys R Us. I never wanted get in line after Thanksgiving dinner to be sure to grab the greatest gift ever. And I certainly never wanted to get into an altercation while grabbing the last Wii or Xbox or iPhone for $10. I also never thought I would not want to work Black Friday or holiday in retail. I considered myself lucky because I got to work it and be on the other side of the chaos. I loved hearing people's stories about the deals they were getting as well. And I enjoyed their tales of mayhem of course.
But this year was different...
I begged God to help me find another part time job that WAS NOT retail. I dreaded the idea of smiling at someone who's teeth I'd like to knock out because they are the rudest person on the face of the earth. I did not want to deal with a manager who demanded the world from a part time associate who is there just for the paycheck. I despised the idea of getting up earlier than the sun to be at the beck and call of shoppers. God answered my prayer, instead of getting up early on the day after Thanksgiving, I got to snuggle with my four year old a little later and watch some morning television.
I was praising God that I did not have to work one day of retail this holiday season, especially black Friday. I could only focus on the negative things associated with working retail that day: rude customers thinking you owe them the shirt off your back, associates not showing up, sales not ringing correctly, customers trying to use the next day's coupons, getting up before the sun, etc... You get the idea.
And that breaks my heart.
When I left retail, my closest friends could not believe it.
"You are retail" some said.
"But you love it" others would say.
"What else will you do?"...good question.
"I never thought you would leave retail"
The things I once loved, I now dread. The things I once looked forward to, now made me quiver with fear.
So where did that love go? Why was I praising God that I didn't have to work on a day that used to be my favorite day of the year to work?
Do I have a new love? Yes. I've always had this love, but it is blossoming in a way I never expected.
God has really blessed me by allowing me to be a work at home mom since June. I am getting to know my child way more than when I was working. If he would go out of town with my grandfather on the weekend, it was no big deal. I didn't see him much during the week, so why should the weekend be any different. Now when he goes with my gramps, I'm counting the minutes til they get back.
I absolutely love being a work at home mom. Granted, one of my jobs is in another home, but my son is with me while I'm there. I know more about my four year old now than I did in the first 3 years of his life.
Now this is not saying I didn't know anything about him or I wasn't the one raising him during those years, but I just wasn't able to spend as much time with him as I do now. I would feel threatened if someone else seemed to know more about his likes or dislikes than I did. And it broke my heart that I didn't know those things.
I used to wonder if I was good enough to be his mom. Didn't he deserve better? Maybe, but that just wasn't to be. And who said staying at home was in his best interest at that time?
(Insert disclaimer here: I am not in any way shape or form bashing moms who work outside the home. I know that this blessing is not going to last forever, there will come a day when I will once again be working outside the home. I'm just enjoying the blessing while I can.)
I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I had no idea the hard work that entailed. Not just because I'm working 3 jobs, but because it really is hard to spend all day with your children, and I only have one! But I love it. I love lying down at the end of the day and thinking, "Sheesh...and I have to be up in 8 hours to do it again???" I absolutely love it.
I'm not dreading the day that I will once again work full time outside our home, but I am certainly making the most out of the time I have being able to work from home. I hope it lasts longer than I expect it to.
I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again...I had no idea that the love of my life would be short, selfish, and completely dependent on me.
Now some of you are probably thinking, dude I thought you were crazy before, now I KNOW you are. And you might be right, but for about 17 years of my life (half of my life for those of you doing the math) I was one of those freaks of nature who loved retail, especially the holidays! Black Friday was always my favorite day to work, even though I knew someone would inevitably come in and try and ruin my day, I still loved every minute of it. I loved the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and of Black Friday itself. I loved getting up early and listening to Christmas music on a 4 hour loop for a 10-12 hour day. I loved putting up the sale signs and memorizing the deals of the day for whatever company I happened to be with that year. I loved upselling whoever shopped my store that day. It didn't matter if I was a manager or a sales associate, I loved working Black Friday.
Are you seeing a theme here? I LOVED WORKING BLACK FRIDAY. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else on that day. I was never disappointed that I wasn't one of the lucky ones getting the deals at Wally World, Best Buy, Target, or Toys R Us. I never wanted get in line after Thanksgiving dinner to be sure to grab the greatest gift ever. And I certainly never wanted to get into an altercation while grabbing the last Wii or Xbox or iPhone for $10. I also never thought I would not want to work Black Friday or holiday in retail. I considered myself lucky because I got to work it and be on the other side of the chaos. I loved hearing people's stories about the deals they were getting as well. And I enjoyed their tales of mayhem of course.
But this year was different...
I begged God to help me find another part time job that WAS NOT retail. I dreaded the idea of smiling at someone who's teeth I'd like to knock out because they are the rudest person on the face of the earth. I did not want to deal with a manager who demanded the world from a part time associate who is there just for the paycheck. I despised the idea of getting up earlier than the sun to be at the beck and call of shoppers. God answered my prayer, instead of getting up early on the day after Thanksgiving, I got to snuggle with my four year old a little later and watch some morning television.
I was praising God that I did not have to work one day of retail this holiday season, especially black Friday. I could only focus on the negative things associated with working retail that day: rude customers thinking you owe them the shirt off your back, associates not showing up, sales not ringing correctly, customers trying to use the next day's coupons, getting up before the sun, etc... You get the idea.
And that breaks my heart.
When I left retail, my closest friends could not believe it.
"You are retail" some said.
"But you love it" others would say.
"What else will you do?"...good question.
"I never thought you would leave retail"
The things I once loved, I now dread. The things I once looked forward to, now made me quiver with fear.
So where did that love go? Why was I praising God that I didn't have to work on a day that used to be my favorite day of the year to work?
I have no idea.
Do I have a new love? Yes. I've always had this love, but it is blossoming in a way I never expected.
God has really blessed me by allowing me to be a work at home mom since June. I am getting to know my child way more than when I was working. If he would go out of town with my grandfather on the weekend, it was no big deal. I didn't see him much during the week, so why should the weekend be any different. Now when he goes with my gramps, I'm counting the minutes til they get back.
I absolutely love being a work at home mom. Granted, one of my jobs is in another home, but my son is with me while I'm there. I know more about my four year old now than I did in the first 3 years of his life.
Now this is not saying I didn't know anything about him or I wasn't the one raising him during those years, but I just wasn't able to spend as much time with him as I do now. I would feel threatened if someone else seemed to know more about his likes or dislikes than I did. And it broke my heart that I didn't know those things.
I used to wonder if I was good enough to be his mom. Didn't he deserve better? Maybe, but that just wasn't to be. And who said staying at home was in his best interest at that time?
(Insert disclaimer here: I am not in any way shape or form bashing moms who work outside the home. I know that this blessing is not going to last forever, there will come a day when I will once again be working outside the home. I'm just enjoying the blessing while I can.)
I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but I had no idea the hard work that entailed. Not just because I'm working 3 jobs, but because it really is hard to spend all day with your children, and I only have one! But I love it. I love lying down at the end of the day and thinking, "Sheesh...and I have to be up in 8 hours to do it again???" I absolutely love it.
I'm not dreading the day that I will once again work full time outside our home, but I am certainly making the most out of the time I have being able to work from home. I hope it lasts longer than I expect it to.
I've said it before, and I'm going to say it again...I had no idea that the love of my life would be short, selfish, and completely dependent on me.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Legalized Voluntary Manslaughter
This morning on Facebook, one of our local news channels posted a question about whether or not smoking should be banned in our local parks. My reply: Ban it! Smokers can kill
themselves if they want, but they have no right killing me and my child!
Keep your first and secondhand smoke to yourself! What I found most appalling were the responses of nonsmokers saying that second hand smoke never bothers them. Huh...maybe they don't understand second hand smoke. So let me give you some facts...
*There are over 4000 chemical compounds in second hand smoke, 200 of which are known to be poisonous and upwards of 60 have been identified as carcinogens (still think it's no big deal?)
*The US EPA has classified second hand smoke as a Group A Carcinogen (When there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, the Group A or 1 category is used. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity)
*Cancers linked to second hand smoke: Lung cancer (3000 non smokers die of lung cancer each year)
Nasal sinus cavity cancer
Cervical cancer
Bladder cancer
*Some chemical compounds found in smoke only become carcinogenic after they've come into contact with certain enzymes found in many of the tissues of the human body.
*Second hand smoke has serious effects on the heart:
So why accuse smokers of legalized voluntary manslaughter? The numbers speak for themselves. People are dying every day (1,644 actually) because of second hand smoke. We as non smokers need to take a stand against this! Smoking is the only addiction that actually affects other people. Why should we suffer because someone else is addicted to it? Granted the numbers I have posted refer to cigarette smoke, but what about second hand smoke of pot, crack, meth? What if you don't know you're being exposed to the second hand smoke of crack because you didn't realize that the carcinogens found in second hand smoke remain on clothing long after the smoker last smoked. Is it fair that non smokers are forced to inhale a smoker's second hand smoke? Sure you could tell me to breathe somewhere else, but when I'm out in a park I should be able to breathe in the fresh air and not smell someone's smoke! It's rude and my child doesn't need to be exposed to it either. So you might tell me to not go to that park, well I'm telling you to smoke in your own home where you are only killing yourself and those that choose to be around you. Yes I have friends that smoke, some that are proabably going to read this, but not a single one of them smokes around my child! And if you smoke around me and I choose not to say anything that is my choice. However, you might find me speaking up a little more because I'm fed up with smokers saying it is their right to smoke. You're absolutely correct, but because you have the right to smoke does NOT give you the right to do so anywhere you choose. I have the right to go to the bathroom when I need to, but that doesn't give me the right to do it into your drinking water. It is also my right to be in a park or any other PUBLIC place and not inhale someone's second hand smoke. When you're in private do what you want, I couldn't care less. But when you are in public you do not have the right to infringe on my fresh, breathable air!
Seconhand smoke on About.com
Huffington Post - Second hand smoke
Nasal Sinus Cancer facts
*There are over 4000 chemical compounds in second hand smoke, 200 of which are known to be poisonous and upwards of 60 have been identified as carcinogens (still think it's no big deal?)
*The US EPA has classified second hand smoke as a Group A Carcinogen (When there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans, the Group A or 1 category is used. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity)
*Cancers linked to second hand smoke: Lung cancer (3000 non smokers die of lung cancer each year)
Nasal sinus cavity cancer
Cervical cancer
Bladder cancer
*Some chemical compounds found in smoke only become carcinogenic after they've come into contact with certain enzymes found in many of the tissues of the human body.
*Second hand smoke has serious effects on the heart:
- Heart disease mortality - an estimated 35,000 to 62,000 deaths are caused from heart disease in people who are not current smokers, but who are exposed to ETS
- Acute and chronic coronary heart disease
- Passive smoking has been linked to the narrowing of the carotid arteries, which carry blood to the brain
- Exposure to secondhand smoke hastens hardening of the arteries, a condition known as artherosclerosis
- Continual exposure to ETS has been shown to nearly double the chance of heart attack
- Low birthweight for gestational age
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)- children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy have an increased risk of SIDS.
- The EPA estimates that passive smoking is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 of these infections in children under 18 months annually
- Asthma - According to the EPA, between 200,000 and 1,000,000 kids with asthma have their condition worsened by secondhand smoke every year. Also, passive smoking may also be responsible for thousands of new cases of asthma every year
- Chronic respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheezing may be attributed to secondhand smoke.
- Children who breathe in secondhand smoke are more likely to suffer from dental cavities, eye and nose irritation, and irritability
- Middle ear infections - exposure to ETS causes buildup of fluid in the middle ear, resulting in 700,000 to 1.6 million physician office visits yearly
So why accuse smokers of legalized voluntary manslaughter? The numbers speak for themselves. People are dying every day (1,644 actually) because of second hand smoke. We as non smokers need to take a stand against this! Smoking is the only addiction that actually affects other people. Why should we suffer because someone else is addicted to it? Granted the numbers I have posted refer to cigarette smoke, but what about second hand smoke of pot, crack, meth? What if you don't know you're being exposed to the second hand smoke of crack because you didn't realize that the carcinogens found in second hand smoke remain on clothing long after the smoker last smoked. Is it fair that non smokers are forced to inhale a smoker's second hand smoke? Sure you could tell me to breathe somewhere else, but when I'm out in a park I should be able to breathe in the fresh air and not smell someone's smoke! It's rude and my child doesn't need to be exposed to it either. So you might tell me to not go to that park, well I'm telling you to smoke in your own home where you are only killing yourself and those that choose to be around you. Yes I have friends that smoke, some that are proabably going to read this, but not a single one of them smokes around my child! And if you smoke around me and I choose not to say anything that is my choice. However, you might find me speaking up a little more because I'm fed up with smokers saying it is their right to smoke. You're absolutely correct, but because you have the right to smoke does NOT give you the right to do so anywhere you choose. I have the right to go to the bathroom when I need to, but that doesn't give me the right to do it into your drinking water. It is also my right to be in a park or any other PUBLIC place and not inhale someone's second hand smoke. When you're in private do what you want, I couldn't care less. But when you are in public you do not have the right to infringe on my fresh, breathable air!
Seconhand smoke on About.com
Huffington Post - Second hand smoke
Nasal Sinus Cancer facts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Let's hear it for the boys...
or girls or whoever you may be attracted to. I know right, you're thinking what are you talking about, where are you going with this. Well hold on to your seats, because I might just be headed in a direction that you might not be prepared for, especially if you are gay, bi, or unsure of your sexuality. Or if your whole life you've been taught that Jesus, a man who loves greater than humanly possible, hates gays or anyone for that matter. Maybe you have been taught that God is an angry, vengeful God and you must do things to please him. Then I'm about to blow your mind.
What if I told you that God loves you even if you're gay?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you're bisexual?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you aren't sure if you're straight or gay?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you have hurt someone?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you murdered someone?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you think you did something unforgivable?
Would you believe me? Would you think no way? He can't possibly love me because that one "Christian" told me that if I don't change God is going to cast me into the pit of hell for eternity.
Well that god, is not the God I serve. My God, loves you and you don't have to change to earn his love. He gives it away freely. You don't even have to ask for it. He loves you.
So you might be wondering what prompted this particular topic. A friend on Facebook posted that a gay couple he knows got engaged. I don't remember the exact wording, but the post said something about Jesus being angry now because another gay couple is getting married. It broke my heart that someone would think that the Jesus I know and love, would be angry about this. But it also opened my eyes to a sad reality: Many of us who us the name "Christian" preach hate and hell and damnation. But God has put it on my heart to let you know that this is not who he is.
Three years ago my friends and I attended an event called "Rock the River." It was 10 Christian bands and Billy Graham's son was the speaker (sorry I can not remember his name at the moment). There were Christians outside the gates with signs saying we were going to hell for attending this event. Their signs said that rock music is of the devil. I remember thinking, yeah that's one way to do it. But isn't there a better way? Yeah, there is a much better way. Why not love people to Christ? It's what my church believes and I hope it's what others believe as well.
I have to tell you, I don't think Jesus was at all angry about that gay couple getting engaged. I think he loves them very much. I think his heart aches when people tell the gay community that Jesus hates them.
Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all...he died for us. And who are we to pick and choose who he can and will love. I don't believe for one minute that Jesus died for a particular group of people. He died for people that don't believe he ever existed. Jesus died for people that steal, murder, molest children. Jesus died, so he gets to decide who to love. And because he died such a cruel death for all mankind, I believe with every fiber of my being that he loves all mankind.
Why? Because I wouldn't sacrifice my son for anyone, but God did. God loves us so much that before we were born he paid for our sins by giving his son a death sentence. That is intense love. But Jesus could have walked away, did you know that? He did not have to die. He could have said, Dad you know I think this is a great idea, but what about that Matthew guy? Wouldn't his death work? But Jesus didn't do that. He did however spend a night praying asking God to remove this charge. He prayed so hard that night he was sweating blood. But he also told God, not my will, but yours. God did not release him from this death sentence. God knew how important it would be that people know that he sacrificed his only son, and that his son did not run. When the guards came that night, Jesus asked who they were looking for. When they said Jesus of Nazareth, he said I am Jesus. He knowingly walked into his death sentence. Why? Why would he do this for people that don't deserve to be saved from an eternity in hell? Because he loves unconditionally. You do not have to earn his love. You don't have to change in order to please him. He loves you so much.
Do you get it yet? Has it sunk in? I hope that it has. I pray that it has. I pray that you can feel Jesus hug you as you read this and know what I know about him. I also hope that after you read this, you will pass it along to someone you know who might need to hear that they are loved. I know that I mostly focused on the gay community being loved by Jesus, but he loves everyone. You, me, your neighbor, my neighbor who is mean to my son, my son, my friends who claim there is no God, my church family, my blood family...I know it's a lot to take in. How can he love everyone? I don't know how he does it because it is damn near impossible to love some people, but he does. I hope you can feel how much he loves you.
What if I told you that God loves you even if you're gay?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you're bisexual?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you aren't sure if you're straight or gay?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you have hurt someone?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you murdered someone?
What if I told you that God loves you even if you think you did something unforgivable?
Would you believe me? Would you think no way? He can't possibly love me because that one "Christian" told me that if I don't change God is going to cast me into the pit of hell for eternity.
Well that god, is not the God I serve. My God, loves you and you don't have to change to earn his love. He gives it away freely. You don't even have to ask for it. He loves you.
So you might be wondering what prompted this particular topic. A friend on Facebook posted that a gay couple he knows got engaged. I don't remember the exact wording, but the post said something about Jesus being angry now because another gay couple is getting married. It broke my heart that someone would think that the Jesus I know and love, would be angry about this. But it also opened my eyes to a sad reality: Many of us who us the name "Christian" preach hate and hell and damnation. But God has put it on my heart to let you know that this is not who he is.
Three years ago my friends and I attended an event called "Rock the River." It was 10 Christian bands and Billy Graham's son was the speaker (sorry I can not remember his name at the moment). There were Christians outside the gates with signs saying we were going to hell for attending this event. Their signs said that rock music is of the devil. I remember thinking, yeah that's one way to do it. But isn't there a better way? Yeah, there is a much better way. Why not love people to Christ? It's what my church believes and I hope it's what others believe as well.
I have to tell you, I don't think Jesus was at all angry about that gay couple getting engaged. I think he loves them very much. I think his heart aches when people tell the gay community that Jesus hates them.
Jesus made the greatest sacrifice of all...he died for us. And who are we to pick and choose who he can and will love. I don't believe for one minute that Jesus died for a particular group of people. He died for people that don't believe he ever existed. Jesus died for people that steal, murder, molest children. Jesus died, so he gets to decide who to love. And because he died such a cruel death for all mankind, I believe with every fiber of my being that he loves all mankind.
Why? Because I wouldn't sacrifice my son for anyone, but God did. God loves us so much that before we were born he paid for our sins by giving his son a death sentence. That is intense love. But Jesus could have walked away, did you know that? He did not have to die. He could have said, Dad you know I think this is a great idea, but what about that Matthew guy? Wouldn't his death work? But Jesus didn't do that. He did however spend a night praying asking God to remove this charge. He prayed so hard that night he was sweating blood. But he also told God, not my will, but yours. God did not release him from this death sentence. God knew how important it would be that people know that he sacrificed his only son, and that his son did not run. When the guards came that night, Jesus asked who they were looking for. When they said Jesus of Nazareth, he said I am Jesus. He knowingly walked into his death sentence. Why? Why would he do this for people that don't deserve to be saved from an eternity in hell? Because he loves unconditionally. You do not have to earn his love. You don't have to change in order to please him. He loves you so much.
Do you get it yet? Has it sunk in? I hope that it has. I pray that it has. I pray that you can feel Jesus hug you as you read this and know what I know about him. I also hope that after you read this, you will pass it along to someone you know who might need to hear that they are loved. I know that I mostly focused on the gay community being loved by Jesus, but he loves everyone. You, me, your neighbor, my neighbor who is mean to my son, my son, my friends who claim there is no God, my church family, my blood family...I know it's a lot to take in. How can he love everyone? I don't know how he does it because it is damn near impossible to love some people, but he does. I hope you can feel how much he loves you.
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