Spread love, not hate

We’ve seen shirts and sayings like this before:

Don’t like abortion? Don’t have one! Even better, ensure your insurance provider covers the contraceptive you prefer. Don’t protest clinics who provide abortions, they do more than just that…they provide a medical service just like other clinics.

Don’t like Walmart? Feel they don’t pay their employees enough? Don’t shop there or become an employee there!

Don’t agree with Chick-fil-A’s Christian stance? Great! Don’t go there, but don’t protest them either. They have freedom of speech just like everyone else. Men and women DIED protecting that right. (This is why I can say what I want as well)

Think that stricter gun laws will decrease crime? Get real, it won’t! Again…a gun does not a criminal make…the right to bear arms is in our constitution. Are we now going to limit knives, toothbrushes (since people in prison hone weapons out of them), lighters (so arsonists can’t start fires), etc., etc. Criminals are going to succeed regardless of what we limit. As I posted recently, inanimate objects don’t commit the crime. The person wielding that “instrument” is committing the crime.

While I’m on my soapbox (as it were), let’s legalize marijuana. That way the government can tax and regulate it and make $$ off of it.

Don’t agree with gay marriage? Great! I do agree with it…because to me, marriage is almost like a contract…you promise many things during your vows. But if you don’t like it…don’t protest that either. Let’s, as a nation, approve of it so that we can move past this issue. It’s not going to destroy the sanctity of marriage, it’s going to improve the lives of those who can be legally married by providing them with rights.

I’m getting so fed up by all the hate spewed lately. Spread love….not hate. If you don’t like something, avoid it, don’t protest about it. If you really, truly dislike something, do something about it…make a change, talk to lawmakers, politicians, or your fellow man and start a movement about it…we can all work wonders.

Changing your own attitude sometimes makes all the difference. ‘Nuff said. Have a good rest of the night all!

Bad sh*t can always happen…but so can good things

Last night the neighbor girl behind us asked my daughter- Excuse me, do you want to play with us? WHOO HOO! Now we know the neighbors a little bit better and she and her family are all great people from what we’ve observed thus far. They seem to get along well for the time they hung out…so it’s great she’ll have someone to hang out with and not be “stuck” inside all day and night when she’s with us….thanks to God and all the benevolent spirits out there! :0)

My boyfriend David has lived here for 9 years…he’s seen her since she was a little girl when they brought tamales over one Christmastime as he was newly single (again). Anyways, it’s nice that now she’ll have someone closeby. David was talking about when he and his sister grew up (his sister and I were friends in high school) that during the summertime they were outside for most of the day..and night for that matter. It was a simpler time…or we just had less press about the bad sh*t that goes on every day.

Like the Waldo Canyon Fire…that was bad, but we as a community rallied around. Then, most recently the shooting in Aurora. I have heard things about this “person” who carried out this crime…but suffice it to say that no one can say what they would have done in that situation…until you’re put into that situation. I can only imagine I would have protected my daughter and my boyfriend would have protected me, but we can’t say as we weren’t there. And let’s face facts…suing the company who made The Dark Knight Rises is not going to erase what happened to you or bring back your loved one. It is ridiculous. Warner Brothers donated money to the victims and their families before anyone sued them. This “person” is to blame. Not Warner Brothers, not The Dark Knight Rises, not the theatre company Cinemark. The person WIELDING those guns is to blame, period, end of story. Stricter gun laws!? Give me a break, like he got those guns legally!! The right to bear arms is in the constitution. HE killed those people because of the guns…the gun was just his instrument.

In addition to killing those in the theater and wounding others he put lives in danger in other theaters, he booby trapped his apartment, etc., etc. Not the sign of an insane mind, but someone who calculatedly planned this out. He is NOT insane and shouldn’t be tried as such. In addition the lawyer defending him has apparently talked to the victims and their families in regards to whether or not the death penalty should be part of the overall picture. Seriously!? HE KILLED PEOPLE! They were out having a good time, watching a movie with their family and this “person” opened fire. They caught him, and he is currently in jail. He shouldn’t have a trial, he should just be brought in handcuffs and ankle cuffs unprotected in front of the people who are relatives of the victims. They should have the same guns he had, the same amount of ammo and justice would be served. We, as taxpayers, shouldn’t have to pay for his lawyer, and for him to serve jail or prison time. He should be shot.

Now…on another note, members of the Denver Broncos have gone to visit some of the victims. And just today Christian Bale, Batman himself came to visit too. In addition, Warner Brothers gave $$ to the victims and other organizations, once again, have rallied around them.

I’ve thought about all this for the past few days and had to put them down. I’m sure I rambled a bit…but that’s par for the course with me. If I offended anyone, great, that’s why it’s still a free country and we have freedom of speech.

The past few days…random thoughts

A couple quotes keep coming to the forefront of my mind over the past few days: What we do in life echoes in eternity. Maximus Decimus Meridus (From Gladiator) Also another quote…something like this by Dwight L. Moody: “Character is what you are in the dark.”

To me that means…consistently do the right thing. Do it ALL the time. Take responsibility in your personal and professional life when …you screw up. Do NOT place blame on others…and do NOT whine about how you are being bullied or picked on when others point out your faults..man up (or as others say Cowboy up or in my case Cowgirl up) and learn from them, don’t repeat them. Karma will eventually bite those in the ass who don’t…and hopefully we’ll be there to watch them when they are repaid.

 

Oh..and I also have to brag about how spoiled I am. My boyfriend is the best….the kitchen (which is on the opposite end of the house from where the swamp cooler is) was always warm. So…we went out and he got a room air conditioner. Now I practically need socks to keep my toes arm in the kitchen when I’m workin’ away! He’s awesome…I’m so lucky to have him…thank you Facebook for suggesting him as my friend….*happy sigh*

Being thankful

My boyfriend, David, brought home a book for me that he got from his work’s lost and found. He works in a hotel in town and he brings home random things that guests leave in their rooms or that make their way to lost and found. After 30 days anyone can “claim” these items. Anyways, the book title is Left Neglected.

It’s about a woman who was a very typical Type A personality. She was the VP of HR in a large company in Boston. She and her husband had it all, a vacation house in Vermont, their house “near” work in a terribly expensive neighborhood, etc., etc. Then came the day where she was driving to work and was multi-tasking as usual then had a major car accident. Her whole life changed after that moment. For that matter, everyone in her life…their lives changed subtly too. She sustained an injury to her brain on her right hemisphere. From then on her mind couldn’t fathom there was “Left”…no left hand, no left foot, no left side of her body…at all. Hence the title…Left Neglected. This woman who before worked 80 hours a week, minimum, had to adjust to not working at all….and not being able to control her left side. By the end of the book she had recovered quite a bit, but had learned many things about herself in addition to making leaps and bounds in her recovery.

She also learned to be thankful for so many things…the little things in life and to realize through also helping her son Charlie with his ADHD that learning a different way than the norm is not always a bad thing…it’s just a new, creative way of looking at things.

Even though I don’t have what I though I should have had by now in life…A solid marriage, a home, the 2.5 kids, the cars, the yearly vacation, etc., etc. I am VERY thankful for what I do have. I have food…others don’t. I have a fabulous daughter, some people can’t have kids of their own. I have a marvelous boyfriend who drives me insane sometimes but he puts up with me and my faults so I love him even more! My parents…they’re first rate, truly. I have a roof over my head. My daughter has come to appreciate shopping at DAV and we have worked out a system for her trying on clothes that is great. She LOVES getting so many clothes and doesn’t make a peep about not having all the latest fashions. In fact, she bought HERSELF the shoes she really wanted with $$ she got from Christmas last year.

I’ve rambled around my original subject…but it does really remain the same. I’m thankful, truly thankful…let’s all try to think of the positives in our lives, they typically far outweigh the negatives. Have a great night all

Random Thoughts

I got a new Medical Transcription job today, hallelujah! This one doesn’t ask for a minimum line count but essentially a time commitment which is fine with me. Then I am able to do that time commitment, drop off and pick up Gillian (once school starts), still get my other jobs done and commit to my own commitment to myself to take Sundays off.

We watched Act of Valor tonight….I was absolutely blown away. I still have a hard time grasping why some movie studios keep remaking old movies and then studios releasing a movie with a competing studio releasing their own movie with the same story line. When did they lose their original ideas? I know that competition is good, but come on already Hollywood!! How about you highlight the good in our lives, in our country, in our military, in our government, in the things that people all across our nation do to change the world around them in a positive way?

I also apologize to all of you, I didn’t blog Monday or Tuesday like I committed to myself I would. Well, starting today that changes…I’m back to it. So prepare to be bored…ha ha. Hope everyone’s having a good evening.

Colorado Springs is OPEN for business

One thing we’ve learned from the Waldo Canyon Fire is that tourism (among other things) are the biggest draws for our fair city. I cannot stress enough…Colorado Springs is OPEN for business. The fire is 95% contained and almost all the major tourist attractions in this city are open once again. The Flying W Ranch was heavily damaged, but everyone from their management team has vowed they will rebuild. Rich Harvey, the leader of the Type I Fire Team had this to say about Colorado Springs: 

“I have been in a lot of fires in my 35 plus year career, and never have I seen the outpouring of support that we’ve been getting from the public for the firefighters here…Words cannot tell how much we appreciate that”.

My boyfriend and I met through the magic of Facebook. On our first date we drove through Garden of the Gods. (Even though he was so nervous he couldn’t remember how to get there…lol) and it’s always been one of my favorite places to go. Thankfully it’s open and there is no damage whatsoever…please, come visit. Visit for a day, a weekend, a week, a couple of weeks…and please SHOP LOCAL! We want our fabulous businesses that are locally owned and operated to stay in business for a long time to come.

That’s my thoughts for the day…make it a great one all!

Today I’m thankful

I’m thankful because I was privileged enough to serve in the military. I served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1990. I was stationed in beautiful San Diego. That gave me the opportunity to get away from home and have to pushed out of my cocoon to figure out the world on my own. I didn’t know anyone there. I grew to know people and my friends became my family, and my support group. Through the magic of Facebook I’ve found some of those I served with as well as the friends I made there.

I was also given advice a few years ago after being laid off from HP to take advantage of medical care offered by the VA. I qualified and the VA has been great thus far. Today I had the “privilege” of having my yearly mammogram. While it’s not a “pleasant” experience, it’s a very useful tool in detecting breast cancer early. Considering my Mom had breast cancer, this is even more critical for me.

I am also peeved with myself today as well. I need to be patient, kind, understanding and mindful of what I say and do with those I care most about. Holding old grudges only hurts me…not anyone else. So…send me some positive thoughts so that I can do better and be much more mindful and loving.

I’m also very thankful we’ve had some rain, the Waldo Canyon Fire is at 90% containment and they expect full containment by Sunday, EARLIER than expected! :0)

Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July

Today is the 4^th of July. The United States of America’s Independence Day. This is a day to celebrate that our founding fathers, against all odds defeated the forces fighting against them and signed the Declaration of Independence. The day our country started to become the nation that we are today. I think we’re ever evolving, ever changing. We may not always make the right decisions, but we have the freedom to make those decisions and admit when we’re wrong. Many people over time have fought and died for this right….for the freedoms we all enjoy. I want to say a huge thank you to all our service members. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard. Thank you to our police, first responders, firefighters, government officials, both local and national, and all of our neighbors both here and abroad that support us in our rights. The fact that I live here, in this city, where we have so many landmarks, including Pikes Peak (which America the Beautiful was inspired by) amazes me how lucky I am. In fact, we are all lucky who live in this country. We are, and will continue to be…one Nation, Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for ALL! Amen!!

It’s been a long time…

And I have no excuse! However, I have now vowed to blog Monday through Friday, starting today! Life events have gone through their usual ebb and flow at our house. My daughter and I moved in with my boyfriend and, although we’re still all adjusting as time goes on, it’s pretty darn good so far!

Colorado Springs recently experienced a wildfire, the Waldo Canyon fire. Many homes were destroyed. However, the community responded generously and we’re thankful there was minimum loss of life. Our first responders, CSPD, CSFD, firefighters, police, sheriff, military members and planes, helicopters, and many government officials responded quickly and the fire is now at 70% containment, and they expect full containment earlier than previously posted. Friends of mine had to evacuate, but no one I know personally lost their home.

I think this fire taught us all a valuable lesson. What’s really important is the people around you…most everything else can be replaced. A good lesson out of a tragedy.

Hope this finds all of you well and thriving.

Karen

This past holiday weekish

/1 – Work, David on vacation! Spent the night at David’s

7/2 – Work – Spent the night at David’s

7/3 – Drive in Phantom Canyon – Part of the Gold Belt Byway – Spent the night at David’s

7/4 – Work, Sky Sox game & fireworks! Spent the night at David’s

7/5 – Work, Grocery shopping – Spent the night at David’s

7/6 – Work – Spent the night at David’s

7/7 – Work – Prep for trip

7/8 – Drive the scenic route (stopping at Uncle Sam’s in Manitou for breakfast…best veggie green chile ever) then eventually to the Gator Farm (it was so cool), then to Alamosa to stay at The Inn of the Rio Grande with Indoor water park. Gillian and Kiah met a couple who invited them to go bowling later. We then went to Calvillo’s all you can eat Mexican buffet, went to Walmart for breakfast food, and souvenirs. We then took the girls bowling and hung out with them. Fairly early to bed for us “old folks” while the girls stayed up talking (big shock lol)

7/9 – Drive to the Sand Dunes!!!!! None of us had ever been there and were so psyched! We were all determined to go to the top and have the girls sled down. Yeah…..our determination flagged mightily……we ended up going to near the base and the girls didn’t really get to go down any dunes. :0( Kiah did a roll down one though and proclaimed it great fun! We learned a lot for next time though….and we want to go again. We then checked out the visitors centre and got a few great little souvenirs. Then back to Alamosa to get Long John Silvers/Taco Bell for lunch since we do NOT have them in Colorado Springs…..grrrrr. Then back home through Walsenburg, Pueblo and such. We then dropped off the girls at their respective places and David and I then washed off the sand…I bandaged up my blisters (ouch!) then off to dinner.

7/10 – Work *sigh* to make up for 2 days off….in a row (doesn’t happen often by design!) after unpacking and having to sweep my room 2 times to get up all the sand ..and the mud I got from the yard too! :0)

All in all a great relaxing week. David determined he wants to take a week vacation every 6 months or so….our next big trip….Devil’s Tower, Mount Rushmore, Bear Country USA!!