Where has honesty gone?

Our government officials are slick. They know what to say, when to say it, how to say, but it's only empty words. Our government has turned into a business. A big business. And who's getting hurt? The American people. Yet we keep voting them back in office, so I guess the joke's on us.

Big government--in my humble opinion--is not the answer. I do believe some government programs are needed, but this health care bill and all these stimulus packages are a joke. This needs to stop! Yes, our health care needs to be reformed, but socialized healthcare is NOT the solution. Just look at Canada. They actually send their patients to US. In Canada, there are long lines, and it takes several months if not years to get the care needed. And who's going to pay for this?? Let's get real people: WE ARE. Sooner or later, we will get TAXED and HEAVILY. In plain and simple terms, someone's got to pay for this trillion dollar deficit and healthcare bill.

I'm sorry because I'm not one to preach politics, but I am so DISGUSTED with our politicians. They are corrupt liars, whose pockets are padded with hand-outs from lobbyists and corporations. There's a song that goes, "where have all the good men gone?" Well, I'd like to change that a bit to "where have all the good, honest politicians gone?" They just purchased private jets for congress. Who's paying for them? WE are.

This has to stop. Next time don't listen to the biased media and Hollywood when casting your vote. Make an educated call, and let's get some new faces in place. Ones that haven't been corrupted...yet.

That's my soapbox momement. God bless you all!!!!

Church Girl

There's something about being a church girl. I should know...I've been one since the day I was born. Many of my naps took place under the church pew. For fun, we'd play church downstairs and all take turns preaching to the stuffed animals. (Don't worry, all of my stuffed animals have been born again. Even my barbies have been baptized.;-)

Now that I'm an adult, there are other terms that want to classify me: a traditionalist, conservative, Jesus-freak, tongue-talker, holy-roller, etc. And my answer to these labels is something like, "Yeah, that about sums it up." So why is it being said as a bad thing?

Here's my confession: I love God. That's it. It really doesn't get any simpler than that. He's been good to me. It's hard to explain, and I get all tongue-tied trying to. But something happened when I was a child. All those times my parents dragged me to church and Sunday School and youth group...somewhere along the way I met and fell in love with Him. And there's no going back. I'm smitten.

So there. I've said it and it's out there. I am a church girl. Now I'm the one taking my kids to church every Sunday. Hopefully, one day, they'll meet and fall in love with Him too.

Peace out.

Another school year over

I'm a teacher, a high school English teacher to be exact. Today is the last day of school. Even though I would be lying if I said I was sad, there is still something about the last day that keeps me from doing cartwheels down the hall. (What a hoot! Like I can do cartwheels!) It's a reminder that time never stops. This is finishing out my ninth year here at this district. My son just completed fourth grade (I remember when he was in kindergarten). Students from my first year of teaching are already around the age of 27. Our high school seniors this year were actually my first seventh grade class five years ago (I taught at the middle school for about 5 years). Where has the time gone? I graduated in '92! It doesn't seem real that it was 17 years ago.

Still, with all that being said, this is what I live for as a teacher. SUMMERS OFF!!!!!!!!!! Other than teaching a college course, I'm doing a whole lot a' nothing! And for those critics of teachers who think we don't DESERVE 3 months off a year...no offense, but you seriously have NO IDEA. I teach 135 students a day, from all walks of life. I have to prepare lessons, make sure I follow state mandated guidlines, grade a buttload of essays, and be everything a student needs me to be. Not to mention the attitudes, disrespect, and curse-out-the-teacher sessions I have to endure (this is only a few students, not the whole :-)). It is rewarding, true, but it's also mentally draining. Summers help a teacher recoup. It helps us review our lessons, go over what worked and what didn't, rearrange our classrooms, and most importantly, destress.
So cut us teachers some slack, okay? Let me enjoy my summer without you getting all hateful about it. ;-)

So here's to summer! Wonderful, glorious, awe-inspiring, sun-drenched, heat-stroked summer. I've been waiting for you.

Peace out.

Ruminations around the campfire

Sitting around the campfire opens up a lot of deep discussion. I'm not sure why. But tonight as I sat snug and let the warmth of the fire surround me, I luxuriated in the ease and relaxation that it brings. Almost like it wraps it in a pretty package and hands it to you the moment you sit down next to it. If you've never visited Northern Michigan, let me put a plug in for it. It's a beauty. I've been coming up north my entire life. First for vacations, then I moved up here to take a teaching job. The snow and cold in the winter may be a drawback, but the spring, summer, and fall can't be beat up here.

Sorry, got off on an tangent. So, I'm having this deep discussion (around the campfire) with a good friend of mine who happens to be an older gentleman. We somehow got into the conversation of inferiority. One minute we're cutting up about how crazy it would be to jump across the fire, and then the next minute he's telling me about once he had to overcome inferiority to other people. As he's telling me this, I'm surprised because he is a really successful guy. Retired early, is soooooo talented, genuinely happy, etc. It surprises me because I, too, struggle with inferiority. I don't want to. I realize I'm a successful, happy person, yet I compare myself with others all the time. And you know what? I fall short. It's annoying. But as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

So don't give your consent to inferiority. And if you get a chance, sit by a campfire, relax, meditate, and bask in the beauty of being alive.

Still raining...and my lack of Green Thumb...

It was supposed to be sunny. But my flowers in my front lawn are loving this rain! I still have living flowers; it's quite amazing. See...I have no green thumb. It's true. My thumb is whatever color fits the description "kills all my plants but not on purpose just because I'm an idiot". My hubby bought me a potted flower plant for Mother's Day. It was beautiful. I accidentally left it out on a cold night and it got frosted. Two Mother's Days ago, my hubby and my son bought me two beautiful trees to plant in our front yard. One was an apple blossom tree and the other was a silver maple. They were beautiful. The deer (rats with long legs) ate them both. I bought a pretty rose bush, and some animal ate that down to the nubs (I did see some growth this spring though, so maybe there's hope for the roses). See what I mean?? I think when plants see me at the store I'm like that little girl from Finding Nemo. The plants quiver in fear, praying that I don't select them. Knowing that if I do, imminent death will follow.

Howbeit, I have a lilac bush I planted six years ago that's growing beautifully, and these yellow flowers that come back every year. I'm holding my breath on the rose bush. Maybe there's life left in her.

Loving each other

I just got back from a dear friend's viewing. My heart caught as I paid my respects to one of the sweetest people I ever knew. It made me realize how I never told her how much her optimism and nurturing spirit meant to me. What do we want to say but never do?

Sometimes it's the little things that make the biggest difference. How many times have friends/family listened to me complain? Have I ever stopped to say "thank you for being an ear to hear and a shoulder to care". Where do I start? Maybe my hubby. It seems I'm exceptional at nagging. But when he does do stuff for me (with no nagging required), do I stop and notice? The fact of the matter is he's a great guy who loves me and the kids. And trust me, sometimes I'm quite unlovable. Then there's the kids. And my mom. And my sisters. And my brother. And my dad. And my friends. And...And...And...

See what I mean?

I guess I'm resolved to learn a valuable lesson here. Instead of being critical, instead of finding fault, I will resolve to speak words in love. To be optimistic. To encourage others. To appreciate every precious moment God gives me to be with the people I love.

So to all of you reading this...thanks. In whatever way I know, I'm a better person for it. (I'm sure of it!;-))

Janice

Welcome to my wonderful world...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

This blog is a culmination of the many musings that go on in my head. Like right now....it's raining outside and is rather chilly and I love it. It makes me want to grab a blanket and a good book, curl up on the couch, and read. Until I fall asleep. It's also the smell. The beautiful earthy scent that reminds me that spring has sprung.

Do you love the rain? Not on Saturdays. There should be a rule of nature that rain doesn't happen on Saturdays. Saturday is about ball games and hot dogs and garage saling. We need sunshine and warmth for days like that. Actually if I'm honest with myself, I love sunshine more than rain. Well, I guess I mean I love sunshine and warmth over snow and cold. That's why I travelled to Florida TWICE this past winter. In Gaylord, it snows from November through March and even into April. It's mind-numbing grayness that leaves me feeling bleak and withdrawn. These traits are not good. No sir. So I pack my bags and travel south. It's my drug of choice. Forget speed, pot, nicotene, or even alcohol. Give me sunshine. Buckets and buckets full. Give it to intravenously if need be.

But, see, now I'm off topic. Right at this moment, I love the rain. Maybe because tomorrow it's suppose to be sunny.
;-)