March 30, 2016

Shout Out to Single Moms

I would like to give a big shout out to all of the single moms out there. No matter what you may think, as long as you still have your children and they are fed and clothed, you are doing a great job. 

Every once in a while, FATMAN! has to go away for work and I become a single mom temporarily. But let me tell you, those few days that he is gone are the longest and hardest days of my life! And I can't even imagine what those who are definitely single moms go through all the time. It's hard! Especially with more than just the Squid now (we got a puppy).

So if you are a single mom by choice, by happenstance, by accident, because your spouse is military or works another job where he is away a lot of the time, or because you just haven't found the right guy, don't give up. You may not be the most energetic, well put together, organized, clean, heck, I'll even put presentable out there, but you are doing what you can, right? And if you are doing all that you can just to take care of and provide for your child(ren), that's all that matters and they will thank you for it one day. If you are a single mom and energetic, well put together, organized, clean, and presentable all the time, you need to share your secrets. 

I may not be a single mom all the time, but the times that FATMAN! is away makes me appreciate all you women who are making it work on your own. Go you! Keep going. You are strong, even when you feel the weakest. Keep fighting for your kids, because they make this life worth it. 

March 15, 2016

A Quick Thought

You may only live once (or YOLO as it is referred to these days), but you must remember: you only live once.
You get ONE life.
Don't waste it by being an idiot.

February 24, 2016

My Idol



It is no question of who my idol is. It's Walt Disney. I am a huge Disney fan and I absolutely love both the classic and new movies. I even did a report on Disney in 8th grade. There are many reasons why he is my idol, but the biggest reason is because he had such a good and clean vision. 

He was such an amazing man. He wanted to have fun! Anyone could say that was his philosophy. He wanted people to forget the horribleness of the world and smile. Yes, he had that one nasty habit, but he made such a family friendly name for himself that it was never publicized. He wanted to be remembered in the best way possible. And in my opinion, I don't think he could have done a better job. 




Everyone has a dream. Walt Disney is one of few men (compared to the entirety of the world) who went after his dream and made it happen. He made it happen! He did not give up. He did not accept "no" as a final answer. He kept going and pushing and asking and persisting. Had he given up there would be no Walt Disney Studios, Disney/Pixar movies, nor Disneyland or Disneyworld. There wouldn't be great movies like Brave, Tangled, Big Hero 6, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, etc. There wouldn't be amazing characters that you can meet in person! And I'm sure that the idea of being a princess wouldn't be quite so big if it weren't for Disney and what he's done with the princess image. He didn't give up on his dreams and look what we have! Look what he accomplished! Go almost anywhere in the world and you will find someone (if not MANY someones) who know who Walt Disney. 


Probably my favorite part about all of the Disney movies is that there is a lesson of some sort to be learned from every story. Just to name a few:
             -Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Make the best of a bad situation.
             -The Little Mermaid: Don't give up a part of yourself to follow your dream. 
             -Pocahontas: Choose the right path over the easy one. 
             -Hercules: Life isn't about popularity. It's about love and sacrifice. 
There are obviously more movies and lessons/morals that I could list, but this blog post is already becoming long. If you look at every movie, you can find something to be learned. Even after Walt Disney died, everyone who has worked in the studios have made it an effort to keep his legacy living and to not blemish it, including the stories and lessons that are produced. 


So while the Disney company continues to uphold the legacy that Walt Disney set, I will always be a Disney fan. I will always want to see the next Disney film (especially the animated ones) and I will always dream of going back to Disneyland to live in the magic and happiness that is there. I will always believe in magic and fairies and happy endings. If I ever make a name for myself, my only wish is that the same good nature that is attached to the name "Disney" is applied to mine. I may never make animated movies (Heaven knows I can't draw). I may never create a wonderfully excited theme park. I may never be a visionary. BUT I will always have an imagination and be a kid at heart; and it's all because of Walt Disney. He is my idol. He is my hero. And he always will be. I only wish I could tell him that in person.


February 3, 2016

A Cure for A Bad Day

I have a board on my Pinterest account that is entitled "A Cure for a Bad Day" and recently it has proven to be so. My Squid has been having bad days or has woken up from afternoon naps in absolute hysterics and there has been only one thing that will calm him down: Looking at the pins on the above mentioned Pinterest board. So, I would like to share with you some of the images that the two of us see when I open the board. 
WARNING: Cuteness overload past this line.













To view more pictures and/or articles to brighten your day, go to https://www.pinterest.com/swheels35/a-cure-for-a-bad-day/

January 19, 2016

So Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want

No, I'm not about to break (further) into song. I just couldn't think of a better title. :) 

Communication is when two (or more) people talk and listen to each other. It's as simple as that! So why is it so hard? Especially in relationships?! Why is it that we as humans want well working relationships (no matter what kind) but can't seem to understand how communication works?

Here is how it works (in a perfect world): Person A talks while Person B listens. Then Person B talks while Person A listens. Persons A or B may ask questions to clarify what the other is talking about or to move the conversation along. No interruptions are allowed. Everyone gets to say what they need to say. No judgment. No rude and/or hurtful remarks. No "one-overing" the other person. Everyone just simply talks thoroughly and listens thoroughly. 

SO WHY DOESN'T THIS WORK?! Why doesn't it happen? 

I don't understand why communication is such a rarity these days. You hear everywhere that "communication is the key" in a healthy relationship. I agree that it is one of the keys. It is one thing that helps a relationship grow and become strong. I also say that complete communication is not always necessary. There are some things that shouldn't be shared. There are some things that work out better when kept to oneself. 

I'm more of a listener than a talker when it comes to conversations. I've always been the quiet one who doesn't speak up unless needed, strongly prompted, or fully comfortable in the current situation. I stutter over my words when I'm nervous or frustrated. (Or excited, but that's a different story.) So I don't like to speak (mostly in public) unless I have to. I've always been the one in the background listening and trying to understand. But when I know I can help, I speak up. Sadly, my help is not always heard or understood and that's when things get complicated. 

Ladies, please don't get offended by this next part because it is true at least once in a while. We females don't always express what we want. We don't always say what's on our minds. We don't tell our significant other what we want from them. We just assume that they can read our minds and other "subtle" hints and clues. Guess what: it doesn't work that way! Just because our girl-friends (sometimes) can read our minds and know exactly what we want doesn't mean that our partners do too. We need to calmly tell our husbands, boyfriends, life partners what we need from them. Even if it's to pick something up off the floor because you can't bend over for one reason or another. And be clear. Tell him exactly what you want. If you can't do that, do it yourself. 

Men, your turn not to be offended. Guys, you need to talk. You need to tell us about what's bothering you, what you need help with, and what you want! Women may be mind readers and know what's going through your head, but we like to hear it from you. Also, actually talk! No one or two word answers. Use at least 6 words when answering a question. It would also help if you paid complete attention when talking with us or to us. If you are in the middle of a videogame and you are trying to talk with me, I'm not going to be taking you seriously and I'd be a little shocked if any woman did. When communicating, full undivided attention is extremely helpful. 

Can we please all take the time to communicate properly with each other? If you want attention, say you want attention. If you want food, say "I'm hungry. Will you please make me ___?" If you want to go to bed, say it. If you want to go somewhere, say it! Are you catching my drift? SAY IT!!! Talk with people. Listen to people. And having a filter between your brain and mouth wouldn't hurt either. Let's have better communication and save each other some headaches and heartaches.