Addiction

 This is a topic that I feel gets ignored quite often and it really needs to come to light. My family has suffered through an addiction. My husband is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. For a long time, I didn't want to believe myself that is was an issue, now, 24 years later, I realize just how all consuming it was. I didn't think it was exactly right how we were living but I kind of figured, 'well. everyone has problems of some sort, right?' Now I realize how by my actions, I let things go on for way longer than I should have. Not that I could have stopped him, you can't stop an addict until they want to quit, but I could have reduced mine and my children's exposure to it. I always thought things would get better and they would for a short time but before long we were always back to the bills not getting paid, losing our electricity, water and even our home. Why did I live with that? Like I said, I thought everyone had problems and it was my job to deal with what I had. I do love my husband and that's a lot of the reason why I stuck it out so long. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have left immediately. By my staying, I was enabling him and basically telling him, with my actions, that it was okay to treat us that way. Once I finally got tired of it and left, he would promise to change, which would sometimes last a year or so, then it would be right back where it was before. Sadly to say, nothing I did was what finally opened his eyes. It all happened a couple of years ago. We had been arguing (as usual) and he decided he was going to stay out in his 'man cave' so he wouldn't have to talk to any of us. He was out there the entire day and finally about 9pm, he came to the house, went to the bedroom and went straight back out there, never speaking to any of us. A short time later, one of the kids told me he wanted to tell me something and asked if I would come there. I went out there and he was passed out, I struggled to get him to wake up enough to tell me what was going on. He had taken a handful of pills (while drinking) so he could just end it all. I immediately called 911 and told my daughter what was going on so she could keep her son away from it all. She went with me back out to the man cave and she found his suicide note. By now, the fire department was there so I told them what I knew and they took him to the nearest emergency room. The hospital asked my permission to involuntarily commit him for psychiatric evaluation. I agreed. The very last thing I wanted was for one of us to stumble across his dead body. After he woke up and was aware enough to realize what had happened, he was horrified. He doesn't remember taking anything or writing the note and that's what scared him into finally quitting for good. He said he couldn't imagine us finding him dead and that if he continued, it may happen. He has been sober for over 2 years now and I am just now finding out who he really is. I only knew him as a drunk and an addict see. Now we still argue but part of it is because we are now 2 entirely different people. I try to let him know when I see something I think he can fix and he does try to work on it. I am also working to change my way of thinking because for so many years I was an enabler and I can no longer be that if he is to have any chance at success. I'm not saying he doesn't ultimately make up his own mind but it is easier for him to choose wrong if I encourage it so I have to watch what and how I say everything. If you are in a situation like that, don't close your eyes to it, no matter which side you are on. You never know when it's going to be something that haunts you or your loved ones for the rest of your life. There are loads of free programs out there that will help you either stop being an addict/ alcoholic or enabling it in others. Take advantage of them before it's too late. It's very easy to not see the forest for the trees. By this I mean, when you're in a situation like that, it's easy to ignore just how bad it is. Listen to your family and friends, they aren't living what you are and can usually see it much clearer than you can.

Obama for President

 As a general rule, I am not a very political person. I have never actively campaigned for a President (or anyone else) to be elected but I am hoping that my voice will help the President be re-elected this year because I think the USA would be in dire straits indeed if we have Romney as President. Here are my reasons why.
1. Romney is a criminal, in my opinion. It is against the law to not pay your fair share of taxes and I fully believe he is hiding money offshore so he doesn't have to pay taxes on it. I also don't buy that he had 'no idea' what Bain was up to and didn't know they were defrauding the government by stashing funds offshore. I, myself, don't want a proven criminal in the main seat of government and I think most Americans feel the same way.
2. Romney's economic stance. I get that he is in the fortunate position of being in that top percentage that would be helped by less taxes but why shouldn't those tax breaks go to the people who need it most? I think our economy will benefit more from Obama's plan to strengthen the middle class than by offering tax breaks to the super wealthy. Most of the lower classes do NOT have health insurance and have no way to afford it. Romney's plan is to get rid of our only chance to get medical care or ever be able to afford it ourselves. I really don't appreciate the fact that people like him get free health coverage for life on my dime when I can't afford it for my family. America is supposed to be about equality. How about showing some of that? The super rich don't NEED the extra money. The lower classes do. It's great that you can run a business but America isn't a business. Learning to run a business is nothing like running a country, in my opinion. Business skills don't teach you how to deal with people other than customers. Just because you can make money from people doesn't mean you know what's best for them. As far as I am concerned, yes the economy is in the crapper but Obama had to work with what he was left with and things are getting better, regardless of what the Republican Party would have you believe. Economic recovery takes time and I think Romney will continue to run us into the ground, economically while Obama will pull us up and make us stronger as a country.
3. His abortion stance and ideas about women's rights in general. Believe it or not, women are voters too and I believe any woman would be a fool to put Romney in office. While I myself don't agree with abortion, I do understand that it is every woman's right to choose for herself and by taking rights away from people (women are people too) we take away from the ideal of America. The Republican Party for the most part, would like to believe that the only voters we have are white men and America is so much more than that. I am all for God and country but God made women too and he didn't make them to be stepped on by men. There have been loads of news stories lately where republicans are talking about what 'rape' is. These for the most part are men who have never had to deal with the trauma of a rape or the fear of that happening. One politician likened rape to a child being born 'out of wedlock' which is just ridiculous. A child born out of wedlock is very likely a child born to two people who love and respect each other. There is no love in rape, it's a crime that's about overpowering someone and forcing them to do what you want. Why would you want to carry to term, and possibly have to share parenting, with someone who forced you to have sex? Women should have the right to give their bodies to who they want, not who forces them. I totally believe that the Republican Party would like to keep all women, barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen. I don't think they believe women should have a voice and. to me, that is intolerable.
4. Romney's public works. I have seen nothing anywhere about Romney doing anything for anyone other than Romney. On the other hand, Obama, and Mrs. Obama, are both proven in their charitable works and you do at least hear about them trying to help others improve their circumstances. If a President can't help others that are less fortunate, why should we vote for him? I, myself, would like to have a President who can not only say that he has heart and compassion, but show it as well. As for Romney, you can say what you like. but giving a very small portion of your millions in earnings each year doesn't compare to actually getting your hands dirty and really doing something for others without having someone tell you to do it. I think the President requires heart and compassion to do a good job.
5. Romney is no diplomat. How can you go on a world tour and insult other countries? If you don't have better sense than that, I don't think you are smart enough or deserve to be President. A President must be diplomatic above all things and Romney just isn't. Even I have enough sense to know, if I am in another country, I should study basic things about the country before I go, so I don't unwittingly offer insult, and I'm just a housewife.

All in all, I think any person who has eyes to see with and a brain to think with, should vote for Obama because if we vote for Romney, I truly believe he will run is into the ground while he plays at being President and gives all his wealthy buddies all the advantages while the rest of us pay for it. Obama is an open book to anyone who cares to read it. Romney is a wildcard. He has shown (by refusing to be open by his tax returns) that he thinks he is above the 'little' people. While I understand that he may not want people to know what he makes per year, I also know that, by him hiding information that lets the public make an informed decision, he is not the person I want in top office. I want my President to be an open book. I want to know that he will lead me fairly, diplomatically and with an eye to what's best for everyone and not just a select few.

Just so you know: http://www.propublica.org/article/romneys-tax-mysteries-a-reading-guide
                              http://current.com/shows/the-war-room/blog

Sons

I have 4 wonderful sons. They are a whole different ballgame from daughters. I have been blessed really. All of my sons are good men, for the most part. They do screw up every now and then, but they are still young. They are all highly intelligent and usually behave like perfect gentlemen. They all know the importance of treating women well, and this includes their mom. My sons mean the world to me and I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are all solid as a rock and I can depend on them to be there for me, just as I am there for them. We have always had a good time in our house, laughing and joking. I think this is important as we all need to learn how to take ourselves and life in general a little less seriously. My sons are all handsome, smart and well mannered men and I am so proud of each and every one of them!

Sugar n spice?

We only have one daughter and four sons. We raised her  to be able to stand up for herself, of course, with 4 brothers, she had to learn quick. We never wanted to have to worry about some guy walking all over her, so she was raised to know how to throw a punch. She is a remarkably strong woman now and I don't worry too much about anybody trying to hurt her because she is well capable of taking care of herself. She needs a man who is man enough to not feel threatened by a strong woman and is capable of giving her everything she deserves. She is a great mother. She had her son when she was 17 but she never complained about not getting to go out and staying home to take care of the baby. She has always worked for herself and her son (except when she was pregnant) and she doesn't skip work either. She has loads of health issues and plenty of reason to complain but she never does. She just puts her head down and does what needs to be done without any prompting. She is a natural mother and I am very proud of her for the job she has done with her son. He's a wonderful kid and he has manners and everything. I really couldn't ask for a better daughter. I am extremely proud of her and I wanted everyone to know how great she is!

Jason

So... I got to see Jason yesterday!!!! I have missed him so much. Hopefully things are worked out now so we don't have to go through that again. He was so cute! We took him to get something to eat and he played with me the whole time we were there. He fed me imaginary hot dogs, then informed me they were too  hot so he took them out of my mouth, blew them off and gave them back lol. He also wanted me to cry but I told him we didn't cry in restaurants. He is such a little stinker but he's my little stinker and I love him to pieces!

Books

Mists of Avalon
I think this is a fabulous book. I could read it over and over. It's a King Arthur and the knights of the round table story told from the point of view of the women in the story. It is well written and it seems that every time I read it, I find new things that I have somehow missed before. It tells more of the emotional story and not so much of the battles and stuff like that

Mercedes Lackey
While this is an author and not a book, I absolutely adore all of her books. She keeps you entertained from page one all the way through the end. Then, when it's over you want more.

Terry Brooks
I haven't read all of his books just the Shannara novels and the Landover novels but they are also books that I can read over and over. They are well written and there's enough action to suit everyone.

These are just a few of my favorites. I love books that you can read over and over without becoming bored. My budget doesn't cover new (or even used) books that often so I like something that won't get boring. I never have been one for romances or crap like that. Right now I am on a fantasy kick and have been for at least a year. I am reading solely fantasy now so if you know of any good authors, please feel free to share!.

My favorite things

For the next little bit I am going to review some of my favorite things. At the moment, I really don't want to write anything personal but I want to keep my blog going. I thought a good way to do this right now was to tell you about some of my favorite books, shows and other things. I am a huge fan of fantasy books. I used to read a lot of horror stories and stuff like that but now I find that I would rather enjoy tales of chivalry, magic, wizards and things we don't find in our world. Life has quite enough horror in it already so I would rather dream of what might be. My taste in books doesn't carry over to tv shows though. I am a huge fan of reality tv. I absolutely adore Gordon Ramsay and watch ALL of his shows. I also watch a lot of Food Network and I love Survivor, Big Brother and The Amazing Race. My favorite drink is probably Pepsi. Coke is okay if you drink it over lots of ice but I find that Pepsi is much easier on my stomach. I have lots of favorite foods. I am a certified foodie and I love eating. I don't eat any seafood though, I just can't force myself to get past the fishiness of it. I am definitely not a health nut. I like foods with loads of calories but I don't eat a whole lot of sweets. My preference has always been for 'real' food instead of junk food. In fact, for snacks, I am more likely to cook a meal than grab chips or cookies. As for movies, I don't watch many adult movies. I mainly watch Disney Movies with the grandbabies. I like movies okay but I don't wanna sit still and watch for as long as it takes. I get bored with tv. I never go to the movies because it's a fortune to go and I will wait until I can watch it for free because I'm cheap like that lol. I think Walmart is a great store. I can buy everything I want there and I have always had excellent customer service from them. I love cooking and thought about doing recipes but I never really follow a recipe, I am more of an experimenter and I don't measure stuff I just kinda know what it should look like. I could give you a list of ingredients and tell you what to do with them but you would have to figure out amounts for yourself and most people wouldn't appreciate recipes like that lol. I enjoy writing and making lists of things. I have notebooks full of lists lol. I also like to draw house plans because one day I intend to win the lottery lol. I enjoy painting and crocheting but I haven't painted for a while and really need to get new paint before I can. I think I'm a fairly good artist. I paint landscapes and I like them. I usually only crochet in winter because it's just too hot to hold it in your lap in the summer. I live in the mountains now and while I love the mountains, I miss the beach so I am planning on moving soon so I can live near a beach. I also want to live somewhere where I don't have to be so isolated. I miss public transportation and flat ground to walk on. Anyway I think that's enough about me for the moment. Starting tomorrow, I will be doing reviews of some of my favorite books and things.