Valentines Day makes me want to puke. I hate it. I don't understand why we have allowed ourselves to be sucked into such consumerism as this. I mean cards, candy, roses, (which are priced double for this special day) just to tell someone you love them? Sounds like you're telling them "Hey, here's a card that says a bunch of mushy crap so I don't have to say it with some candy that you'll eat then complain that your butt's to big with some overpriced flowers that are going to die soon. Happy Valentines Day."
No thanks.
My hatred for this day didn't start with some romance gone wrong in high school either. I've always been this special kind of girl. In fact I had a weak moment many years ago and dated a guy (boy?) who was this gross romantic type. I just threw up a little in my mouth. It didn't end well for him. Well, actually it probably did since he didn't end up with this gem. He's probably happily married to a sweet girl who likes that kind of crap. At least that's what I tell my self when I think back to our last conversation that ended with tears. His, not mine.
Romance altogether is just so overrated. At least romance in our society. I can't even watch a romance movie without laughing hysterically when the plot turns and someones heart gets broken. And then groaning loudly when the predictable end comes and the two love birds are reunited and live happily ever after. (Roll eyes here.) Come on! Murder-suicide? Shake it up a little! Pretty sure my friends who dragged me to see Titanic didn't think it was funny when I giggled at Leo gasping for his last breath. Maybe there's something wrong with me. They sat through Evita for me. Yes, I know that was kind of a romance but that's OK because it was Madonna and she died.
Matthew and I have never done Valentines Day. We've always done everyday. I don't want someone to tell me on February 14th that they love me. I want them to show me every day that they love me. I don't want someone who's capable of picking out the perfect card, I want someone who is going to hold my hand when our daughter is in open heart surgery with her ribcage wide open while her next breath relies on the heart and lung machine. I want someone who believes in me and loves me even when my ideas are crazy and completely irrational. I want someone who will do everything in his power to provide for his family knowing there are huge medical bills coming our way, even though he misses out on "fun" stuff and people think he's only working because of greed.
Today we will not be exchanging gifts. We wont go out to dinner. We wont do anything special for Valentines Day. We don't need to. Matthew shows me he loves me every day he gets up and goes to work and I sit at home in my pajamas til noon and home school the kids. Don't judge me. I can't imagine my life without him.
I don't need one day marked by hearts and roses. I have every day of my life to celebrate his love for me. If you like all the romance stuff that's super. As for me and my husband, we will continue to love each other the way it has worked for almost 12 years of marriage. (Take that people who said we were too young!) I will do what I can to make his life a little easier at home and he will surprise me by framing my signed Family Force 5 and Needtobreathe posters. And we will take our marriage vows seriously and show our children that true love is sticking together when all odds are against you.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
What's in the mac & cheese?!
In a past life I recycled, bought "whole foods", ate from a garden, and limited my families sugar. And then we moved to a small town. Laziness ensued. Choices were slim. Twenty ingredients really isn't that much for a loaf of bread... right? The box of cereal says it has 27 vitamins and minerals, I can overlook the fact that it has more sugar than a candy bar.
My willingness to ignore the health of my family was recently brought into light when I came home from the grocery store, having spent too much, and realized how much boxed, bagged and canned items I was putting away. This didn't use to be my normal!! I read the ingredients on a few things that I purchased. Enriched came up a lot. Enriched with what? Sugar, high fructose corn syrup (ok, same thing), tons of things I can't pronounce, and Hydrogenated vegetable oils. That's what I'm putting into my body? That's what I'm letting my kids eat? That's what I'm allowing their little bodies to try to process? Gross.
The second unacceptable discovery was the insane amount of trash we set out by the street. We don't drink soda (or "pop" as my adorable Midwest friends say) so we don't have the aluminum factor. But the boxes and plastic bags resulting from the processed crap we just consumed filled up three trash bags in a week! I don't know, maybe that's not that much. But for me it's unacceptable.
About a year ago I got tired of paying $10 or more for a bottle or box of laundry detergent so we started making our own. That has been a huge savings financially. In the past year laundry soap has cost us around $15. That's for the whole year! And I do laundry almost every day. On top of the huge monetary savings we use a five gallon bucket for the soap. No more discarded packaging. It uses three ingredients and our clothes get clean. I wish I had discovered this years ago.
I have made a small step with the laundry soap. I want to take the next step with our food. I have to say no to all the chemically "enhanced" products and waste that goes with it.
We are coming up on Emily's 6 year "re-birthday". Her little heart has been through a lot. I don't need to make it work harder by feeding her chemicals and upgraded sugar. She's a fairly healthy eater but it's time to re-evaluate what goes in. My goal for the grocery store this weekend will be to come home with 5 items or less that are processed. This sounds a little crazy, even to me, who now probably appears to have been raised by hippies.
My first project will be trying to replace snack foods. It's just so easy to hand out a granola bar (which is a glorified Snickers) or get a bowl of goldfish. But I'm sacrificing my children's health for my laziness. So today I will make (or attempt anyway) my own crackers and apple chips. Not to worry, I will not be donning tie-dye any time soon.
My willingness to ignore the health of my family was recently brought into light when I came home from the grocery store, having spent too much, and realized how much boxed, bagged and canned items I was putting away. This didn't use to be my normal!! I read the ingredients on a few things that I purchased. Enriched came up a lot. Enriched with what? Sugar, high fructose corn syrup (ok, same thing), tons of things I can't pronounce, and Hydrogenated vegetable oils. That's what I'm putting into my body? That's what I'm letting my kids eat? That's what I'm allowing their little bodies to try to process? Gross.
The second unacceptable discovery was the insane amount of trash we set out by the street. We don't drink soda (or "pop" as my adorable Midwest friends say) so we don't have the aluminum factor. But the boxes and plastic bags resulting from the processed crap we just consumed filled up three trash bags in a week! I don't know, maybe that's not that much. But for me it's unacceptable.
About a year ago I got tired of paying $10 or more for a bottle or box of laundry detergent so we started making our own. That has been a huge savings financially. In the past year laundry soap has cost us around $15. That's for the whole year! And I do laundry almost every day. On top of the huge monetary savings we use a five gallon bucket for the soap. No more discarded packaging. It uses three ingredients and our clothes get clean. I wish I had discovered this years ago.
I have made a small step with the laundry soap. I want to take the next step with our food. I have to say no to all the chemically "enhanced" products and waste that goes with it.
We are coming up on Emily's 6 year "re-birthday". Her little heart has been through a lot. I don't need to make it work harder by feeding her chemicals and upgraded sugar. She's a fairly healthy eater but it's time to re-evaluate what goes in. My goal for the grocery store this weekend will be to come home with 5 items or less that are processed. This sounds a little crazy, even to me, who now probably appears to have been raised by hippies.
My first project will be trying to replace snack foods. It's just so easy to hand out a granola bar (which is a glorified Snickers) or get a bowl of goldfish. But I'm sacrificing my children's health for my laziness. So today I will make (or attempt anyway) my own crackers and apple chips. Not to worry, I will not be donning tie-dye any time soon.
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