Rantings of a Grumpy Old Woman

Many people see this at least a few times a week, if not daily. You're watching TV, to have your favorite shows interrupted by some plastic looking news anchor bringing you this "amazing" story of a car chase, or news from a criminal trial. On the way to work this morning, we were listening to the radio, and they said that the shooter from Sandy Hook was obsessed with the news coverage and publicity from the Norway shootings years ago, and this may have motivated him to do what he did. It really got me thinking. People are always looking to place blame on things that they believe influence children. Social media, video games, music, cartoons, basically anything pop culture. While those things may have an impact on your children and how they learn and grow, it is up to you as a parent to regulate what they are watching and doing to make sure they only see and hear what you are comfortable with. The news may seem a little less harmless than a video game where you beat u...

It's upon us yet again. Another day of forced gift giving. I truly believe that Hallmark invented this holiday which asks men for one day a year, to pay attention and shower their girlfriends, wives, friends, etc. with gifts. Flowers, candies, cards, hell even stuffed animals and pets. What about men though? It's supposed to be a holiday of love and showing someone you love them. You don't show your husband or boyfriend that you care by buying a bouquet of flowers or little heart shaped candies. I believe this holiday has become biased towards women anyways. While it is a novel little idea to some, I don't like it. Not because I don't enjoy getting those little things, but because I have a wonderful husband who brings me these things constantly. Any day of the year, I could receive a little bouquet of flowers, pretty jewelry (which is few and far between, as everyone knows the only jewelry I wear on a regular basis are my wedding rings), candy, etc. I'm bles...

I wanted green eyes, instead of the ugly crap colored brown ones I got. And now.... I do. Except it's not the way I wanted them. I'm sure everyone has heard the term "green with envy", or maybe everyone hasn't, because I was practically born in the stone age, and I'm older than everyone else. Anyways.... I am. Green with envy, I mean. I keep seeing posts from my friends, saying that they are expecting babies. I see ultrasound pictures, birth announcements, updates about pregnancies and such. While I am soooo incredibly happy for my friends, I can't help but wish it was still me. Common sense kicks in eventually and reminds me that having a baby  is NOT the best thing for our family. Our family is complete now. We are so thankful and feel blessed that we do have 2 beautiful, healthy girls. Of course, I think it is my age that is making me this way. Even though my brain knows it's not the time, my biological clock is still ticking. But instead of t...

    In the past few years, I’ve noticed a giant push for breastfeeding. I wont argue that breast is best for babies. I’m also not going to look down on anyone who chooses not to. Personally, I pumped for the first 3-4 months months because I wasn’t as educated as I am now and didn’t know what I was doing. I look back daily, and wish I had bit the bullet and tried harder and looked for more information. Because I exclusively pumped, my supply ran out quickly, leaving me heartbroken and broke from buying formula.     What bothers me… is that with such a big push towards education and breastfeeding, women are constantly shunned for wanting to feed their children in public. Some may not understand that babies do not get the concept of wait until you find a private, closed off place to feed them. When they’re hungry, they’re hungry. They’re infants.     Going along with yesterday’s (evidently controversial) blog…. As a society, we have se...

So, after a discussion in one of my classes, I got to thinking.... What happened to our values as a society? What happened to dressing classy, Lucy and Ricky sleeping in separate beds, music actually having a decent beat and meaning behind the words? I know I must sound like an old fuddy duddy right now, and I know that society has to evolve at some point, but how much is too much? I personally CRINGE when I see prepubescent girls walking around with low cut shirts and shorts that barely cover their ass with the word "sexy" or "juicy" on the back. I see no need to watch my weekly tv shows, and watch people rolling around naked in bed. I believe our society has become overly sexualized. It's not taboo anymore to see a 13 year old pregnant girl. Years ago, the family would send that girl to a home for unwed mothers, and babies were put up for adoption or given to a family member to raise. Today, we sign them up for welfare, throw them baby showers where their ...

Today, we woke up in a world without you in it.... and it sucks. I regret heavily that we never got to make the 5 hour plane trip out to see you, so I could finally meet the person who made my husband so happy. I enjoyed talking with you online, reading your witty and insightful comments. You always had a way of making me think about things. Watching my husband suffer through this, is almost unbearable. He loved you so very much. I know he appreciated what a great father and friend you were. He told me stories of the two of you and what good times you had together. I need to thank you... for helping to shape the man he is today. He is an amazing husband, father, and friend, and I know you had a lot to do with that. Thank you for taking the time to be a father to him, when he needed it. My only consolation is that I know you're still here. I know that somewhere you are looking down on us and will always be with us. You will be missed very much. RIP.