Posting from holiday vacation

Winter has found us traveling domestically. Instead of exchanging gifts, the hubs and I opted to create memories. We have talked about visiting Texas (specifically Austin) for some time now. Being native Californian Millennials, its "the" place to be right now. Jobs, affordable real estate, music, arts and food trucks. We finally made it and so far so good. Everyone has been talkative and friendly. Hopefully the little black dog doesn't find me here!

Friends asking for Donations....

I have some friends that are currently seeking donations for their "cause". Well one of their parents is the organizer of the  online fundraiser. I don't mind donations or fundraisers in general, although I do mind feeling obligated. I also mind when its not a fundraiser that once reached, will be completed.
In this particular case, I find myself glad and irritated. You see, they are asking for donations to adopt a child. This couple has two of their own and they are a Christian family-- you know, righteous and all, except for the whole 'they conceived their first born out of wedlock' and but we should just ignore that sin I guess...
I'm glad they are stopping with two of their own, I think that's enough people to indoctrinate... But now they want their friends and family to donate so they can adopt a child through some Christian organization. So once they reach this goal ($5,000), are they going to ask us to help donate to raise the child? (Food, diapers, clothing, toys, etc.) If they can't afford to adopt, how can they afford to support it? And don't say 'God's love' or something ridiculous like that. Ugh.

Why I won't tell my "potential" future children about Santa Claus

It's a few days before Christmas and I had a thought. If I have children, I'm not going to tell them about Santa Claus. There are multiple reasons for this. But first, I'm not mean, ill spirited or a grinch. However, I am an atheist. And I studied Psychology and Anthropology in College. My views are shaped by the experiences I have had and the subjects I have studied. Simply stated, I believe that telling children about Santa Claus is perpetrating a lie. A lie that I was told, a lie that my parents were told. Did it hurt me? No. Did it cause me detriment? No. But it did make me think, what else have I been told is a lie? My parents lied to me, plain and simple. I just don't think that is right. Mostly because Santa isn't real and what he is described as is basically a god himself. He can see everything, speak all languages, deliver gifts all over the world in one night, etc. It's just not right.
I will tell my children who Santa Claus is. They will know the story, they will also know that parents are Santa Claus. They will also learn that not all children in the world get gifts. No one will (hopefully) break into our home the night of December 24 and leave presents behind. I believe in educating, not betrayal. Why tell your child a lie? Only to have to tell the truth later?
Oh and no creepy elves on shelves either.

Found this great animation

Surfing the web takes you to many places far and wide. I like to call it 'time traveling' because you end up spending far too much time on the computer and boom it's a few hours later! Found this short video and wanted to share it: http://www.upworthy.com/what-is-depression-let-this-animation-with-a-dog-shed-light-on-it     

Holidays in the home of a Minimalist

We only have two bins in which to store our holiday decorations. It's not for lack of space, or lack of money. Quite honestly  its because we had to put a cap on it. Seeing our parents' and grandparents' holiday items shoved into box after box, stored in the attic 11 months of the year, really gave us pause when we packed our holiday items last year. We sorted the items and chose our favorites (anything with the Abominable Snowman stayed). We went to Target and purchased two standards size rubbermaid bins especially for this purpose. What fit, made the cut.
A few days ago, at my request, my husband pulled the boxes down from the garage. He left to get a few things done and I opened the boxes. I started digging around in them. I found a few strands of white lights, some picture frames with photos, a few random decorations and a small faux tree. Yes, the tree fits in one of the boxes. All that I found was great, however I realized a small problem. We have no where to put anything. We have a decent sized home, but very few furnishings other than the main things a home needs (sofa, ottomon, dining table, etc. No end tables, coffee table, etc. So there are no flat surfaces free for extra decorations. Hmm, so I'm debating if I should borrow a table or just forget it altogether? Being a minimalist is difficult sometimes, but so rewarding.

I'm not sweet, I'm sour!

As the holiday season approaches, my husband and I find ourselves out a little more often. Trying to squeeze in some last day trips before the weather turns gross, seeing new movies on discount Tuesdays, heading to the mall for new winter clothes and with all that comes customer service. I really do hate that term, but thats an entirely different blog entry right there.  Usually I'm mistaken for younger than I appear (yay), sometimes closer to the correct age (usually when I'm with the hubs). Either way, I too can guess ages. I can tell if you are my age or younger, and it makes me bat shit crazy when I am called "Sweetie" by someone my age or younger. If you are a sweet grandmother, then it is perfectly acceptable. Just don't do it. By calling my sweetie, it feels like you are belittling me or about to follow it with "bless yer heart". Ugh. It's gross and awful. Same goes for Sugar, Honey or Doll. Miss works, Ma'am does too, although I like it less. Thanks. Have a great holiday!

Friends say the darnest things

I have some really great friends. I really do. On facebook, I have a lot of friends from childhood, school and even ex coworkers. I love hearing about their lives, the good, the bad and even the 'tmi's'. What I don't like is reading things that are just plain unnecessary. The comment that I found particulary irritating was this 'My wife delivered our second baby today and again without drugs.' Ok, while I see the point, I also found myself upset. I'm a female and I do not have children. With that said, I really do feel that women have choices when it comes to the delivery of their baby. It is their body after all. I feel like a woman that gives birth (drugs, no drugs, c-section, etc) is still a major accomplishment! I just don't see that her not taking the drugs is a) any of my business and b) anything to be proud of. So let me get this straight, you suffered hours of horrible and excruciating pain and you didn't have to? It's almost assinine. Ok, I have heard but not researched the concept of mothers that take the delivery drugs-- their babies are essentially born on the drugs too. So there's that. What freaks me out is the epidural itself. The needle goes into the spinal fluid. If its wrong, you could be paralyzed. Big risk. And yes I've heard it is rare, but a risk is a risk. Heck, having a baby is a risk, you could die from childbirth. Anyway, I just didn't feel it was necessary to add that tidbit about the drugs. And I still wish them all the best. Drugs or no drugs, she pushed out a healthy child. Awesome.