Miss USA 2009

I know there is a lot of controversy about the outcome of this pageant. There are quite a few people, Miss Prejean included, who believe that she was "robbed of the crown" because of her honesty and personal convictions as stated in her response to the Final Question at this years Miss USA pageant.

Miss California chose a card out of a fish bowl that had the name of a judge on it. The judge she chose was judge number 8, Perez Hilton, a Hollywood gossip blogger.

Mr. Hilton asked of Miss Prejean, "Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think that every state should follow suit, why or why not?"

Now, before I reveal her answer, please realize that this question was cleared in advance by the Miss Universe Organization. All twelve judges submit questions, six were chosen to be used during the telecast. This was NOT "a jaded gay man with an agenda" to corner Miss California because of the passing of Prop. 8 in the state where both Miss Prejean AND Mr. Hilton reside. If any of the other girls chose judge #8's card, they would have received that very same question!

Anyway, on to her answer of: "Well, I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. Umm, we live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, I think in my country, and in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised, and that's how that I think it should be; between a man and a woman. Thank you."

Okay, most of you who read this blog know that I am a former state title holder within this very system, and also have been asked to be a judge on numerous times for local pageants. I am fully aware of how this system judges and scores it's contestants.

Delegates are required to compete in Swimsuit, Evening Gown, and Personal Interview. Based on the scoring by the preliminary judges, and Mr. Trump, the 15 semifinalists are chosen to compete in the Finals. The fifteen ladies then compete in swimsuit, and the ladies with the ten highest scores, based on their confidence and fitness, advance to the Top 10, where they all compete in Evening Wear. Then, the ladies with the 5 highest scores will advance to the Top 5. They will then compete in the On-Stage Interview portion of the competition. The ladies are asked personal questions about themselves first, and then draw cards out of a bowl and answer the Final Question from the judge they choose. Based on their individual answers, their articulation, and presentation, each judge will rank the final contestants 1-5, 1 being the winner, followed by the consecutive runner-ups.

North Carolina, the eventual winner of the pageant led the entire competition that night! She scored a 9.198 placing her first in the swimsuit competition, while Miss California scored a 9.033, placing third. During the Evening Gown Competition, Miss North Carolina again came in first with a score of 9.470. Miss California, this time placing second, scored a 9.275.

It absolutely enrages me to hear people, especially Miss California, say that she lost the crown because of her beliefs on same-sex marriage. NO MA'AM! Miss Prejean was NEVER winning the pageant to begin with, and her scores prove it! ONE JUDGE cannot make or break a contestants placement, and there were twelve that night! Not only that, but if people were all that offended by what she said, she would have placed last out of the Top 5, NOT as the winner's 1st Runner Up!

Although Carrie Prejean was honest with her answer (and YES that is very much appreciated!), she wasn't very politically correct or articulate. Miss USA is supposed to be savvy, goal-oriented and aware. The delegates who become part of the Miss Universe Organization display those characteristics in their everyday lives, both as individuals, who compete with hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals, and as women who see to improve the lives of others.

Someone, please tell me what the heck "Opposite Marriage" is?! Surely, she meant to say TRADITIONAL marriage. Also, when someone says that "they THINK they believe" something, well, it comes across as being soft on an issue. The point also needs to be made that Americans are NOT free to choose their respective partners for marriage because only 4 states recognize same-sex marriages...which is why this is such a "hot-button" topic facing our nation right now.

Seriously, ALL she had to say is: "While I personally believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman, we, as a nation are given the freedom to vote on issues that are important to us. This is not a federal issue, but rather a state issue, and I think it's best to let the people decide." BAM! She stays true to her beliefs, AND she doesn't offend the masses.

The point of my post? Her beliefs did not cost her her crown...she didn't win because she was never in the lead, and because she answered the question from the judge she chose badly. Are her 15 minutes of fame over yet?!?

Congratulations to Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009!

Easter Egg Hunt

Today is Jackson's Easter Egg Hunt at his school. I was actually a little disappointed in the selection of Easter Baskets they had at Walgreens. There were plenty of baskets clearly designed for little girls (ex, princess, pinks and purples, and small baskets that looked kinda cheap), but mostly sports-themed baskets for the boys. Since Jackson doesn't play any sports, I decided not to get him a themed basket. Instead, I found this wicker basket (durable for an egg hunt) that was fairly big (to collect a lot of eggs...) and the colors weren't to "girl-y".

***NOTE TO WALGREENS***

IT'S NOT JUST LITTLE GIRLS WHO PARTICIPATE IN EGG HUNTS, AND NOT ALL LITTLE BOYS LIKE SPORTS!!!

Each student was to bring a dozen plastic eggs filled with candy, stickers, or something fun. These eggs were the largest I could find. I wanted to get big eggs because Jackson's Primary class has younger children (ranging from 3 years to kindergarten), and I wanted to make sure that there would be big, brightly colored eggs for the younger ones to easily see and grab.

I will take pictures (not of the egg hunt since I am at work...grr.) of his loot when we get home and post them here.

I hope he has a good time, and that the weather holds up!

Resurrection Eggs

Lately, I have seen these cute little Resurrection Eggs, everywhere! This is the first I've heard of them, and when I saw how easy they are to make, I had to try it out! Heather has really great directions on her blog on how to make this project.

Resurrection Eggs are a really neat way to teach children about the story of Easter, beyond the Easter Bunny, sweet candies, new clothes, and egg hunts. It gives them a visual/tangible way to relate to and understand the true meaning of Easter - Jesus Christ's resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins and he was raised for our justification." Romans 4:25

I went to the 99c Only store and got my supplies for under $6.00! I checked around at some stores online, and the Resurrection Egg kit sells for $9.00-$13.00...I knew I could make it how I wanted, without spending that much money!

I cut a branch off a tree, and glued (liquid nail...LOVE that stuff!) the end. I took little white and purple flowers from a small floral arrangement that I had, and super glued them on the branches to give my Easter Tree a little softer look.

Finding something to 'plant' my tree in was the hardest part...I scoured the 99c store over and over looking for the perfect planter. I looked at Easter baskets, tins, flower pots...you name it! I finally came upon this little daisy thing. It's a decorative ball similar to a kugal ball, and it comes in several colors, but I liked the yellow best. I saw that it had a small hole at the bottom, and I knew I could use that hole to hold my tree! I was so happy I found this that I was literally dancing around the isle...Jackson was looking at me like I was crazy, lol! Then, I realized that my round pot would need a base so it would be sturdy and not roll over. I went back to the 'Easter Isle', and found a basic yellow flower that was covered with glitter, which completely satisfied my love for all things sparkly! I think it was a window decoration or something, but I had other plans for it!

I liquid nailed my new base to my daisy pot, and VOILA! A Springy look for my Easter Tree and Resurrection Eggs.

Once I had the foundation of my project done, I began making the trinkets that go inside the eggs to tell the story along with the scripture inside each egg. I hung the plastic eggs from curling ribbon on the branches, and I must say that I am very happy with how it all came out!

If you are interested in making your own Resurrection Eggs, here's what you put in the eggs:

(Bread) Matthew 26:26 While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread,gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples."Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."

(3 dimes) Matthew 26: 14-15 Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.

(Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17They put a purple robe on Jesus. . .

(Thorns, like on a rose stem) Matthew 27:29Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King, of the Jews!" they said.

(Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string) Mark 15:15Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified.

(A small cross) John 19: 17-18a He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Golgotha.") There they crucified Him.

(Nails) John 20:25b Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe."

(Sign saying "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS" or "INRI") Luke 23:38 Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(Small piece of sponge) Matthew 27:48One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.

(Something representing a spear (i.e. a toothpick)) John 19:34 One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out.

(Rock) Matthew 27:59-60 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dugout of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

(Empty) Matthew 28:6 He is not here He has risen just as He said.

"HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED!"

Weekend Update...

Here's the run-down of how our weekend went:



On Friday night, I met Jack after work. He and I sat in a parking lot for over an hour and a half and were finally able to have a private conversation. A much needed conversation about...us. It was really nice, and I am glad that we were able to come together and share about our concerns, goals, and also talk about the strength of our relationship. He said some stuff that I really needed to hear from him, and after we were done talking, we both felt much better about the future.

We met some friends at a bar and grill called Frank'N'Steins (catchy name, isn't it?!) for a 30th Birthday Party. As soon as we walked in, I am handed a piece of paper and a pen, and I am told that I am going to sing Karaoke. I'll be honest, I wasn't really in the mood to sing, much less be in a bar. Since becoming a Mommy, I go to bed early, and I don't drink much, if at all. It was past my bed-time, and I wasn't sure that I wanted to be out much longer than we already were, even though my Mother was keeping Jackson overnight.

I wound up caving in since it was Cory's big 3-Oh, I sang her favorite song, "Criminal" by Fiona Apple. I used to sing that song to Jack when we were first dating, and he used to sing me Dave Matthews, "Everyday".

Anyway, after a few shots, err glasses of 'Liquid Courage', it was my turn to sing. Jack was sweet and pulled a chair right up to the front row where I was so I wouldn't be nervous. I miss a few of the words, but I pulled it off. After I was done with my song, there were several people who stood and cheered for me. That made me feel really good!

Once we sat back down at our table, a guy told me that I sang very well, and asked if I wanted to compete in a Karaoke Contest (for the next three weeks...). The Grand Prize is $500.00!!! Talk about incentive! Who couldn't use additional cash in today's economy, ya know?

I am still giving it some thought, but realistically, I don't think I can or want to commit to being in a bar for the next three weeks to sing. But.....there's money at stake, and you know what they say (whoever 'they' are), "You can't win if you don't play!" We shall see...



On Saturday, while Jackson was still playing at his Grandmother's house, I was flipping through the channels on TV when I happened upon this show on the LOGO network. It was awesome! I'm sure most of you have heard about Tyra Banks show, 'America's Next Top Model'. Well, this show is similar, but totally different...
RuPaul, America's most famous drag queen, hosts "RuPaul's Drag Race", a new reality series of the ultimate drag queen competition. The top 9 drag queens in the U.S. will vie for the title. It was fascinating, and I was hooked from the word, GO!!!!
For those of you that know me, you know that I love pageants...all kinds of pageants, and sparkles, and GLAM! This show embodied all that I love about the stage, lights and flair! (I'm sure I have an inner drag queen lurking inside me, somewhere. They are the bitch I wish I could be!)

I also participated in Earth Hour on Saturday! I am glad that I did, and I will be shutting down much more often from now on. I went to my breaker box and completely turned off the power to my house. You would not believe how quiet it was...Jackson was with my Mother, Tom was running errands, Jack was at work, and Leo doesn't talk back, lol! BLISS! There wasn't any humming from the refrigerator, or any other appliances. I opened up windows through my house to let it air out, and I was able to enjoy the peace!
Technically, Earth Hour wasn't supposed to start until 8:30pm, but I thought it was silly to cut off the power to my house at night because we need to see in the dark, and I probably use more electricity during the day anyway. I still did my part, and I am happy I did.

On Sunday, we got some major yard work done! Too bad our heavy trash day isn't until Tuesday. My poor neighbors are going to have to see our trash for a few days... We also cooked out on the grill and have enough food to last us all week! Yea! No cooking for Mama! Whoo-Hoo!

This coming weekend, Gabriela (the photographer that did our family portraits) and I are getting together to do the Bridal Shoot! I am so excited! Tonight, I am going to pull out my wedding gown for the first time in a very long time and try it on. Cross your fingers that it still fits me! Wouldn't that be a hoot?! It would be my luck that I'd commit to a shoot, and then my dress doesn't even fit anymore, lol! Guess I'll try it on and find out. I'll post pics....win, lose, or draw.

Just The Facts, Ma'am

Okay, so I haven't written in quite a while because...well, because the stuff that I really want to write about, the stuff that is really beginning to get under my skin, isn't pretty. It's not pretty at all, and quite frankly, I think, scratch that... I KNOW my husband is tired of listening to me...umm...'complain'.

So, what better place to vent my frustrations than here in Blog-Land?! (Insert sarcastic smile here)
In my lamest attempt at humor (it's really all I have left...) I am going to use "Dragnet" as my inspiration for this post...err...story line.

( "Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." Cue instrumental music..."Duuun du-dun-dun. Duuuun du-dun-dun duuuuuuuuuuuuun")

"The Accidental House Guest"

(The premise of this story: The adventures of a young wife (Michelle), her husband (Quincy), and child (Alexander) as they deal and cope with a friends sudden change in status, both financially and figuratively.

It was Summertime in Houston, 2008. Hot. Humid. Always.

Michelle and Quincy had just celebrated their 5th Wedding Anniversary. A few months later, Quincy was made aware of some troubles his friend, T.J. , was going through. See, T.J. was an attorney who had a private law practice in Beaumont. Some may have called him a 'smooth talker'. You know the type...a charmer. He had a way about him that most people just fell in love with him instantly. You wanted to like him.

T.J. found himself tangled in what seemed to be a real web of deceit. He was gripping to hold on to everything he worked so hard for his entire life, but the tighter he held on, the faster everything seemed to slip away.

He lost his girl, his home, his car, and eventually had no other choice but to dissolve his practice and move to another city. T.J. was breaking down.

Quincy and Michelle saw what this was doing to T.J., and they wanted to help him. They bought T.J. a car...nothing fancy, but it got him from point A to point B just fine. They gave him thousands of dollars over the next few months, and even allowed T.J. to stay in their home with them from time to time.

And then it happened. T.J. got comfortable. Too comfortable.

He began to overstay his welcome. He'd stay one or two nights...then three, then four. Before Michelle knew it, it had been a week. She became worried, and asked her husband what was going on with T.J., as she felt like she was being left out of the details of his stay. Quincy assured her that T.J. wouldn't be staying for long, and he reminded her of the friendship he and T.J. had. They had pretty much known one another since Quincy was born, so Quincy felt a little obligated to help his friend who was in need. Michelle nodded with understanding, and tried to put her best face forward while her new house guest was with them.

Some days passed, and then T.J. was gone. Luckily, T.J. remained on good terms with his ex-wife, Carrie, and she offered her house as a place for T.J. to stay until he got on his feet. Little did Carrie know that this would come to bite her in the end...

(Three months later)

On the other side of town, Michelle was busy planning for their son's birthday party...an Astronaut-themed party. Alexander was very interested in Space, and Michelle wanted to give her son a great party to celebrate his milestone birthday.

The winds of change began to turn, and before Michelle knew it, T.J. was back...the same weekend of Alexander's party.

By this time, Michelle, had little patience left. She was focused on her son, and the party, that she didn't have time to deal with the demands of a house guest on top of everything else that was going on.

T.J. seemed to sense that Michelle was displeased with his current situation, and wanted to help. Though Michelle graciously thanked him for his efforts, she made it quite clear they were unnecessary. Well, she thought she was clear.

The day before Alexander's party, T.J. thought he would 'help' Michelle with a few dreaded household chores by taking all the clothes in the house to the dry cleaners, even though Michelle told him specifically NOT to touch the laundry, and to stop 'cleaning' her house. Michelle left to go run some errands, and when she returned home, everything was clean. Too clean. A wave of fear washed over Michelle because she sensed that something wasn't right. She asked T.J. where everything was, dreading the answer.

T.J. explained that he didn't listen to Michelle's pleas to leave the clothing alone, and how he paid no mind to the boundaries of the house to gather clothes and take them to the cleaners once Michelle left. He said it was to help Michelle so she could focus on the party.

One week, and $638.00 later (a bill that was NOT footed by T.J., and was quite a set-back for Quincy as he and Michelle had still not quite fully recovered after the purchase of T.J.'s vehicle...), Michelle got every one's clothing back.

Michelle was fuming! At this point, she couldn't even look at T.J. without nasty thoughts filling her head! Michelle would complain to Quincy about her frustrations, and Quincy would relay Michelle's frustrations to T.J.

Eventually, T.J. began staying at some local places in the city. Unfortunately, those places didn't work out well for T.J.

Three months later, T.J. was back.

Things were hard for T.J. He was out of work, and had no place to call home. He was a drifter that was falling into a depression that Quincy was afraid T.J. wouldn't going to come out of. T.J.'s behavior became more unpredictable and erratic. He was drinking, crashing cars, and doing God knows what else. T.J.'s attitude toward Quincy and Michelle's son grew tense. He began yelling at Alexander, and trying to excuse him to his room to watch a movie or play with his toys so that T.J. wouldn't have to deal with a young, curious child.

This angered Michelle, and her animosity toward T.J. surged.

Quincy and Michelle tried to explain to T.J. that his actions were out of line, but their words fell on deaf ears. It seemed like nothing they said to T.J. clicked in his head. They would tell him to stay out of their bedroom, T.J. would still rifle through their things when they were gone. They would tell T.J. to stop cleaning/re-arranging/re-organizing their house, he would spend all day on it, stating that he "needed to earn his keep". He would walk around their house in his underwear (or no underwear at all!), or feel free to throw things in the garbage that didn't belong to him because HE felt there wasn't the need for them. Quite simply, T.J. wouldn't take NO for an answer, and was absolutely clueless when it came to "house guest etiquette". T.J. was quickly becoming a nuisance, and there seemed to be little that could be done about it.

Quincy established a deadline for T.J.'s departure - March 31st. This gave T.J. more than enough time to get his affairs in order so he could get out of their house. Michelle thought this time frame was fair, but she wanted to make sure that Quincy meant what he said.

"So, what happens at the end of these 30 days, and T.J. hypothetically doesn't have everything in order?" probed Michelle.

"That isn't our problem, Michelle! We've been more than generous with T.J., and quite honestly, that is why there is a Star of Hope!" exclaimed Quincy.

For some reason, Quincy's words reassured her. She felt confident that soon, every ones troubles would be over. She just needed to focus on the goal...the goal of the 31st, and bite her tongue when necessary.

That wouldn't be to hard, would it??

As the weeks passed by, Quincy's attitude became more hostile. The little stresses of 'everyday' became mountains. Michelle grew more bitter and resentful , and Alexander would simply withdraw to his bedroom to be "out of the way". The couples bills were mounting due to the added expense of another person in their home. Quincy and Michelle began fighting for no reason at all, using one another as their personal whipping-post. Sometimes these spats would happen in front of T.J., and it didn't even seem to phase him! The once happy family was now falling apart, and all T.J. would do is scratch his head, shrug his shoulders, and say, "Hmm...wonder what's eating them?"

As the much anticipated "Goal Time" drew near, it became increasingly more obvious that T.J. hadn't done anything to prepare to move out of Quincy and Michelle's home. He saved no money, and he hadn't got a full-time job (he did some work as a substitute teacher, when someone called in). He did, however, manage to find a little shack by a river by the school he taught at. A rent to own (in 10 years) for $500.00 a month. Things were looking up, or so they seemed.

Earlier this week, T.J. dropped the bomb that he couldn't afford this place by the river, that he needed additional time to save money.

Quincy, without talking to Michelle about it first, told T.J. that he would give him an additional 30 days! When Michelle learned about this, she was heartbroken.

"We are at each other's throats as it is, Quincy! Do you really think our relationship can survive an additional 30 days?! What happened to the "Star of Hope??!!?!"

"If you have a better plan, Michelle, we'll use it. But right now, I don't see another option."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Duuun du-dun-dun. Duuuun du-dun-dun duuuuuuuuuuuuun

What Flower Are You?

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."

I found this little quiz on Heather's page, and thought I'd see what it said...Isn't it funny how the answers to a select group of questions can be a fairly accurate glimpse into your personality?

I have other stuff to blog about as it has been quite a while since my last post...I'll get to that tomorrow.

7 Things That Make Me Disproportionately Happy

1. My Family. There is really nothing that makes me happier than spending time with my family! I love to give and receive long, tight family hugs. I love it when Leo climbs on the couch and sits on me or when he stands up and wraps his long arms, err, front legs around my neck and gives me a hug. I love to watch Jackson and Leo play together. They play chase games, and Jackson still likes to "Boo!" Leo to scare him. Even though he's a big dog, he spooks easy. I love lazy days with my husband where we lay on the couch, enveloped with each other.

Jack is in Sales, so any time we can spend together as a family is wonderful!

2. Reaching my goals. I feel so satisfied when I reach a goal, and let's face it...who doesn't like to be recognised for a "Job Well Done". I think it is important to set goals for everything in life, from household duties, work, to personal achievements. I think it makes reaching those goals that much more fun!

3. I LOVE a Sale!!! I actually get excited when I hear about other people saving money, too! There's nothing like going to the department store, expecting to spend "No more than x amount of dollars" (there's that goal-setting again, lol), only to find at the register you spent less than half of what you expected!

HOORAY for pleasant surprises!

4. My Friends. This one was a toss-up really. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my friends dearly! I also love my "Momma-Day". My Momma-Day is every other Friday because that is my day off from work. Jackson is in school, Jack is at work, and I have the entire house to my self to do whatever I please. I can sleep in, actually enjoy my morning coffee, be lazy, and catch up on my shows (Grey's Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives) that are on my DVR. I get to do things on my own time, and don't have to cater to any one's demands.

I chose Friends because if I had to choose between being by myself or being with the people I love, well, I choose love!

After all, friends are the people who know everything about you, and love you anyway!

5. Date-Nite. I just love to get all dolled-up when I go out...and it doesn't bother me to be over-dressed for an occasion. It makes me feel pretty, and I like to look my best when I am with my hubby. I want my husband to think, "Wow, I am a really lucky man!" because I think I am a pretty lucky woman to have been the one who tamed this "wild horse" of mine.

When I am by myself, I consider it a good day if I shower and change out of my pj's.

6. Learning. I seriously love to learn about new things. It's weird because when I was in high school, I thought that most of the stuff we were being forced to learn had absolutely zero relevance in the "real world". Turns out I wasn't too far off. It wasn't until college that I really started to enjoy what I was being taught, and I am pretty sure it was because I chose all of my classes myself, instead of being told what I needed to learn...does that make any sense?

Now, if there is something that I don't' know about, I completely immerse myself in learning everything there is to know about that particular topic. I am beginning to be a wealth of information!

7. Debate. I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE to debate with other people! Especially controversial topics, religion, and politics...and I especially like to play the Devil's Advocate. I honestly feel that when one debates certain topics, or even listens to arguments - especially in an open forum, people are offered the opportunity to gain perspective on another point of view they may not have otherwise been able to learn. (So long as the debate remains respectful. It takes all the fun out if it when things get ugly.)