A Baby Changes Everything

Faith Hill - A Baby Changes Everything

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what’s to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring
On her hand
All her dreams and all her plans
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she’s never touched
How will she Keep his trust
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries, oh she cries

She has to leave, go far away
Heaven knows she can’t stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it’s coming soon
There’s no place, there’s no room
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

And she cries and she cries oh she cries

Shepherds all gather round …
Star shines down…

Choir of Angels say
Glory to the newborn king
A baby changes everything, A baby changes everything, everything,
everything, every day Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I’m found
A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything

Small Observations

Funny how things can go from this:

To this:

Incidentally, this year my daughter made an observation. After visiting Santa at the mall, she remarked, "Know what I noticed? Santa now has his mustache like Captain Hook."

(Hmmm. Maybe she's onto something...)

Wordless Wednesday

Good Thing I Don't Follow Astrology

Image via WikipediaIn today's world, modern Astrology is a multi-billion dollar industry. For many people, checking their horoscope every morning has become an obsession. Putting so much stock into what it says about their day ahead, they will actually plan their day around what the message reads.

But just how accurate is astrology? According to this, some people have been mistakenly following an astrological sign that is completely different from their TRUE sign.

You see, astrological signs were determined by the position of constellations 2200 years ago. Over the course of time, Earth has tilted on its axis, changing these positions, along with some astrological signs.

Like mine, for example:

Your true sign is...

"You may have thought your sign is Sagittarius, but your true sign is Ophiuchus."

Good thing I do not follow astrology. I can find answers to life's questions in another place.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me." (Jesus Christ, John 14:1)

Perfectly-Suited

A female relative of mine (who is very near and dear to my heart) called me recently to ask my advice on a new guy she is dating. She lamented, "Why can't I just find someone who is perfectly-suited for me?"

Hmmm. Good question. Are there really perfectly-suited men out there for us gals? I don't know. Every man I have ever had dated, or had some sort of relationship with (thus far) has not been perfectly-suited for me. As far as I can tell, the perfectly-suited man is nothing more than a character in a fairy tale.

But what if the whole thing was as simple as ordering off of a menu? What if God said, "OK, I will create the perfectly-suited man, just for you. Just tell me what you want." Do we even know what we'd ask for?

Well, I have given this a little thought, and this is what I’d ask for:

• Someone to share all life’s experiences with. The good. The bad. The ugly.
• A man who appreciates the simpler things in life.
• Ideally, he is easy-going, unpretentious and down-to-Earth.
• He knows how to laugh at himself.
• He knows the love of God, and follows the teachings of Christ.
• He shares my ideals and values.
• He is financially responsible and competent.
• He holds my hand in public.
• When we go to a party, he meets my eyes across the room to let me know that he's with me.
• He loves to share his interests with me, and is open to exploring mine.
• He is absolutely crazy about my little girl.
• He says nice things about me to his friends.
• He lets me take a nap, or sleep in when I really need it.
• He offers to carry my groceries and my luggage.
• He doesn't have a bevy of single, female friends.
• He's a terrific handy-man.
• His family and friends love me.
• He loves to give back rubs. But only for me.
• He remembers little details that I share with him as we chit chat about life.
• He GETS me. And all my quirkiness.
• He cooks!
• He is flexible.
• He’s genuinely compassionate.
• He will appreciate the emotional, mental, financial (and sometimes physical) challenges of life as a single Mom.
• He never complains if I forget to shave my legs.
• He understands that my daughter's O.P. (Other Parent) has a place in her life, and doesn't try to interfere with that.
• He LIKES and respects me, and the people that I love.
• He knows how to be sensual.
• He thinks I'm beautiful on the INSIDE, as well as the outside.
• He’s tender and loving at all the right moments.
• He has no problem with me answering his cell phone, or looking at his Blackberry.
• He is ALWAYS honest with me, even when he’d rather not be.
• He’s loyal.
• He is supportive of me.
• He’s not afraid of intimacy.
• His actions show me that he is genuinely in love with me.
• He’s gracious enough to accept my minor flaws (yes, I do have some!)

This list may seem a bit ideal. It might look a bit picky. And it is, but hey - it’s what I’d like to have in a husband. I’m in no hurry to get hitched. Why should I settle for less than I’d like? Why not give it some thought and have specific ideals in mind? I’ve really got nothing to loose, at this point.

You don't have to settle for a husband who would rather stay up late, surfing the net for porn, than go to bed with you. You don't have to settle for a husband who would rather take bong hits and play video games, than to take a walk with you. You don't have to settle for a husband who belittles your opinions, or scoffs at your ideas. You don’t have to settle for a husband who would rather spend evenings out with the boys, than to spend time with his family.

I am not advocating that any married ladies run right out and file for divorce if her husband doesn’t measure up to her ideals. But for heaven’s sake, if you aren’t married yet, why not put some thought into it and figure out what kind of husband you’d like to have in your life? And keep in mind that anyone you date could potentially become your future husband, so make sure that he measures up. After all, you are worth it.

Do You REALLY Need That?

Image by Jake Wasdin via Flickr

I have a friend who is constantly complaining about how broke she is. And yet, when I have tried (you'd think by now I would have learned to keep my mouth shut) to help her come up with a plan to cut back on her expenses, she tells me, "No way could I live without my Starbucks!" and "I can't take away the kids' Nickelodeon. That's all they watch." and "I need my (LG Chocolate) cell phone."

Could you live without these things? (I'd bet you could.)

• Daily gourmet lattes
• Satellite/Cable TV
• Professional manicures/pedicures
• Botox injections
• Bottled water
• A second car
• Fancy cell phone
• Lawn service
• Designer clothes
• Private school
• Over-the-top kid's parties
• Pet grooming

12 new 'needs' that drain your cash

I Love a Parade (Just Not on the Highway)

Image by Liz Castro via Flickr

Sharing the road with discourteous motorists can be frustrating. I have vented here about it before.

I have a 35 mile interstate commute to (and from) work. Every day, there is always at least one driver - whether they're lazy, stubborn, ignorant of the law, impaired, whatever the cause - they are driving slow in the left lane.

"Slow" does not necessarily mean slower than the speed limit. More times than not, they are doing the speed limit, but they have motorists behind them who want to go faster than they are traveling. For unknown reasons, they will NOT move over into the right lane to let others pass. Believe it or not, this is against the law, in most states.

In my state of Arizona, the law is clear:

28-721. Driving on right side of roadway; exceptions

A. On all roadways of sufficient width, a person shall drive a vehicle on the right half of the roadway except as follows:

1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing the movement.

2. When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair.

3. On a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable on the roadway.

4. On a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.

B. On all roadways, a person driving a vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall drive the vehicle in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

Some people seem to be unaware of what causes road-rage. I would venture to say that this could be a leading cause of exploding tempers behind the wheel. I have watched my father's normally docile nature morph into the Incredible Hulk behind the wheel, because someone in front of him (on the highway) thought it was a good day to have a left-lane parade.

He (and I) are not the only people in this country who feel that way.

What about you? Do left-lane slowpokes drive you nuts?

Musicians Protest Use of Songs by US Jailers

It seems that detainees aren't the only ones annoyed about the U.S. military using loud music as a tool for interrogation. Musicians are apparently unhappy that their songs are being used to torture detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

If certain musicians don't want their songs to be used, there are guaranteed to be plenty of others that wouldn't mind. I could recommend some albums from my teenage years. (They worked really well on my parents. Trust me.)

A song from any one of these would do the trick:



Musical Torture in Guantanamo Bay

Wordless Wednesday

Staying Together... For the Sake of the House

Image by wheat_in_your_hair via Flickr

OK, I could NEVER do this. Even if my ex and I got along (and I do have exes that I have been able to stay friends with) there's still something highly undesirable about living with an ex.

Economy Forces Couples to Stay Together

Koobface Virus Spreading Fast on Facebook

Image via Wikipedia

In case you haven't heard, there is a serious virus threat on Facebook. Before clicking on any link that one of your so-called "friends" sends you via Facebook, you may want to read this. McAfee has already warned that "the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better."

Don't Think I Don't Think About It

Image via Wikipedia

Eighteen years ago, I pulled an engagement ring off my finger. I never put it on again.

I sometimes wonder about the choice that I had made, just two months before the wedding. All details had been planned and finalized, and the invitations were ready to be addressed and mailed.

When I called it off, there were consequences - monetary and emotional. There was a huge sense off loss. A bond had been broken.

Am I doing the right thing? What if I am making a huge mistake?

I look at the life I have now. I love my beautiful daughter. She wouldn't be here with me today if I hadn't have made that choice. I would not trade her for anything.

Still, once in a blue moon, I catch myself wondering what could have been. Wouldn't anyone?

Wordless Wednesday