It's been a rough week for me emotionally, the Newtown shooting is really pulling at my heart.  I've been praying for those people multiple times a day since it happen.  I feel so helpless, what else can most of us do besides pray and donate money?  I've never experienced something so distant causing me to have such strong emotions.  I want to hug and kiss my kids just a little tighter...I get to have them for Christmas.  I can't imagine having presents hidden in my house for my children and their not going to be there; walking in their bedrooms or getting up in the morning to get them ready for school only to be reminded that they will never be home again.  I keep remembering my children when they were 5 and 6, I get to have happy, loving memories.  My children got to grow beyond kindergarten safely.  My heart goes out to the parents who lost their little ones.  Do we wish them a Merry Christmas knowing that it's not going to be so Merry this year? 

The teachers in Newtown are amazing heroes, they protected their kids the best they could and some, along with the principle and others, lost their lives protecting the little ones.  I've always felt teachers should be among the highest paid and respected in our communities, they are teaching our children, out future.  They do so much more than just teach, they end up being counselors, providers for those who don't have, a shoulder to cry on and now have proven to be heroes and protectors.  I have the highest respect for teachers in our communities.

No one is going to walk away from this situation without being effected.  I've paid attention to news stories, both mainstream and otherwise, and the changes this shooting is going to have in individuals, communities and the country as a whole are so obvious.  The kindergartners and others who experienced this are going to be forever changed. I heard someone read a letter that a child wrote to his dead best friend.  A Sunday school teacher had children missing from her class while other children had a hard time being there or simply couldn't go.  What about children in other activities with their friends such as scouts, dance, sports, etc.  Can you imagine being a little 5 year old and part of your normal routine is to go next door and play with your friend or have your buddy spend the night on the weekends and now that friend is gone never to walk the earth again?  Everyone needs to keep a close eye on the mental and psychological health or each other, the adults and children.  Losing someone your expect to lose is hard enough.  Losing a mass group of people in a way that takes the safety in safe places away and your security in you community is now questionable can really destroy a human being.

Among the heroes in the situation, Bikers have my respect and thanks.  Being from the Midwest, growing up in the Chicago suburbs and now living in the Milwaukee area, I already have a deep respect for bikers, it's in my blood.  Seeing that bikers went to Newtown and formed a human barrier to keep the crazy Westboro Baptist Church from picketing at the funerals and vigils just increases my list of personal heroes.  I wish I could shake every one of their hands and say thank you, they displayed strength, compassion, courage and most of all, protected those who couldn't protect themselves from bullets from being victims once again.  They made sure the families and loved ones of the victims had the opportunity to pay their last respects and give the ones who passed on a proper funeral.  Thank you to all the bikers, I will always respect and love you for what you did.

The Westboro Baptist Church...ugh...some of the most evil, closed minded, unloving people I have ever heard of in my life.  I really feel the need to remind everyone not to judge all Baptists from Westboro's ignorant actions of hate.  I come from a long line of Southern Baptists (I am now Buddhist)  and not one of them support or agree with Westboro's actions.  Westboro is an insult to Baptists everywhere.  I don't care how holier-than-thou you think you are, there is NEVER a reason to picket funerals or vigils.  They say God sent the shooter in response to Connecticut's Gay Marriage Law.  Who in their right mind would link Gary Marriage with the deaths of so many innocent people?  James Dobson also used the deaths as a platform for his views on Gay Marriage, abortion and other issues. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/westboro-baptist-church-picket-connecticut-school-shooting_n_2312186.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/17/james-dobson-connecticut-shooting- gay-marriage_n_2318015.html

What the hell is wrong with these cold hearted opportunists?  Vigils, funerals and horrible, tragic events are NOT a platform to cram your beliefs and cruelty down our throats.  How can you look a parent in the eye that just lost a child and has had to be strong for their other children, family members and community and tell them that their child was murdered because of all these political and religious issues.  God did not kill those children, what the hell is wrong with these idiots?  Westboro Baptist Church, in my opinion, is a HATE group.  Their actions have stirred up negative emotions, anger and hate.  Nothing good came from them as well as James Dobson. 

I have had my own struggles through this, I've had to turn off the TV, avoid articles, remove myself from conversations, etc.  to help myself deal with this tragedy.  The fact that I can do these things is a blessing, the parents and loved ones of the victims don't have those options.  They can't remove themselves from the situation, they can't escape.  There is no break from the grieving, funeral planning, supporting each other, etc.  They can't drive down the street and not see reminders of that horrible day.

I wish I could do more than pray and donate.

Elementary School Shooting Today

I have no words to describe how horrible the shooting in Connecticut has to be, it brings tears to my eyes.  This one was at an elementary school...young children...how are they going to feel safe enough in this world to go back to school or a store or even feel safe in their own homes?  How do you console a parent that has rushed to school knowing there was a shooting and finding out that your child was a victim??  These parents send their kids to school and shortly after that you find out that your child is dead.  I can't imagine being a child in that situation, hearing the gunshots and screams, seeing your friends get shot or not knowing if your friends are alive.  I can't imagine being a teacher there, trying to protect your class, keeping calm while the gunshots are going off.  This is so sickening. 

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-connecticut-school-shooting-20121214,0,3154787.story

I'm currently watching the President Obama address this right now.  He is obviously shaken up and emotional about this. He has had to pause several times to get through his speech and simply walked off when he was done.  I'm sending prayers his way, there is going to be pressure on him to take action.  He's going to have to work through this and make good decisions while dealing with his own emotions. I don't support a lot of his politics however, I give him credit for addressing the nation and responding to this.  This is a time to put differences aside and support each other through this.  Obama is a father and is still human, there is no way he, along with all the humans on this planet, can't be upset right now. 

My own children are in school as I write this.  Part of me wants to run to their schools as fast as I can and take them out of school, take them home and just love them and keep them home, with me and safe.  Unfortunately, this isn't an options.  We can't allow criminals to control us like that.  We can't give our power away to them, regardless if their dead or alive.

I wanted to go on with this blog however, I need to walk away for now.  I just heard there are 20 children confirmed dead.  I need to take a break, this is too much for me.  I am the lucky one, I can turn off the TV, walk away from the school and get my head together.  The victims, survivors and officials on that scene don't have that choice.  This will forever be a part of who they are.

It's the same ol' issue every year!!!

It's December!!  That's an awesome, December means Christmas and my birthday!!!  Although I appreciate my birthday being in December, I haven't always appreciated it.  When I was a kid, I always got ripped off.  My birthday parties were smaller because money was tighter during the holidays.  I absolutely hated that most years I got one present for both Christmas and my birthday. My brothers all had birthdays months away from Christmas so they got the bigger parties and 2 presents for the 2 events...them lucky boys!!   Having my birthday exactly a week before Christmas wasn't always a blessing, at least not in my mind.  Now, it is.  I love the change of seasons, warm comfort food, hot chocolate, all the Christmas decorations and parties.  Call it age, but staying home with loved ones on a cold December's night while eating warm comfort food and drinking hot chocolate (possible with a little Baileys) has become the best way to spend my birthday :)

There is another December tradition I'm not so fond of.  Since the schools have pushed God out, they get very upset if you use words like "Merry Christmas".  Both of my children have been in trouble for saying this in school at one time or another.  I have had to correct teachers, principles, and other school employees on this.  Don't misunderstand me here, I have the highest respect for those who educate our youth, that's one tough job.  There are issues, like with the rest of us, the "school officials" are simply wrong on.  On the occasions my children have been told not to wish someone a Merry Christmas because it will offend someone and religious holidays aren't allowed in our schools.  That little rule only lasted as long as it took me to get to the school and correct everyone.  First of all, Separation of Church and State is NOT in the Constitution.  I've had to explain this to a history teacher at one time.  Separation of Church and State is in a writing by Thomas Jefferson and all it was meant to say was the state can not tell the church how to worship.  Here is an excerpt from his letter:

"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State."



The "wall" was a metaphor for keeping government form interfering with religious practice.  He references the First Amendment in his writing however, Separation of Church in State isn't in the First Amendment as so many tried to make me believe.  In fact, the Amendment puts restrictions on the government, NOT the people.  What we think of as Separation of Church and State today is a total misinterpretation.  The Constitution however, does protect our right to free speech and freedom of religion.  Therefore, my kids CAN and WILL without punishment say the words "Merry Christmas".

Of course, we want to teach our kids to be respectful of others.  They will say "Happy Hanukkah" or "Happy Holidays" when they are aware of another person's different beliefs.  They also are not offended if someone says the same to them.  It's all meant to with someone well and no one can take that right away Isn't that more important than some uptight prick getting all bent out of shape over someone wishing him a Merry Christmas??

Happy Hanukkah
Merry Christmas
Happy Holidays
Feliz Natividad

Have a blessed Holiday Season!!!

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving, I know I did!  Of course, like with every other holiday, I cooked way too much food!!  I looks like I'm going to making a big pot of Turkey soup and canning it...that's not a bad thing :)

As I'm sure lots of us do during this time of year, I was reflecting on my blessings and I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have 2 great kids who are very smart and talented.  My son is starting college next year and my daughter is starting high school.  I have a great family and friends that loves and accepts me for all I am and believe me, I'm a lot to accept!!  I have some great activist and educational opportunities coming up, I'm super excited about that!!  I got my new Bath and Body Works fragrances in the mail, I'm caught up on laundry, I can go on forever.  I recently started a gratitude journal.  I'm all about having a healthy spirit and the journal, although it's new to , has already helped.

Thanksgiving also brings back memories for me.  As a child, we spent most of our Thanksgiving taking a road trip to Mississippi to visit the family.  There's nothing like a southern-style Thanksgiving dinner and being spoiled by your grandparents for a week.  In my early 20's, I went to Missouri with my kids to spend Thanksgiving with my grandfather, this is the greatest man I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  He made one hell of a ham dinner and, in his classic style, continued to show me what a real man way.  I have yet to find anyone who measures up to him although a few have come close.

Today was Black Friday, I didn't make the best decision today.  I hate shopping on Black Friday so I never go, I normally do my shopping online.  I needed my nails done so I made my appointment for today and the salon I go to is in the mall.  I had to park in a parking lot next to the mall's lot and walk in the cold to the mall.  I was a little early do I thought I would get some hot chocolate while waiting for my nail tech to be ready for me.  That took about 45 minutes.  I don't like overcrowded places or waiting in line for anything.  After it was all said and done, I was back in the cold walking back to my car which was parked in a far away land.  Needless to say, I came home and I've been here all day!! 

With all that aggravation, I stayed in a good mood and just kept thinking good thoughts and counting my blessings.  My car ran well and kept me warm to and from the mall, my nail tech is awesome and did a stellar job as usual, I'm fortunate enough to be able to get my nails done, the hot chocolate was yummy, the salon wasn't busy, etc, etc.

Life is good and it is full of blessings :)

Sutter the Silence

Hey!!

 

Leanna Vannarom is a photographer who uses her art to bring awareness to sexual assault and give victims a voice.  This is an awesome cause and one that I support with all my heart and being.

 

Check out Leanna's Facebook page!!

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shutter-the-Silence/471449392874498?sk=photos_stream#!/pages/Shutter-the-Silence/471449392874498?sk=photos_stream

 

She is still taking photos and can do a group photo or hook up with you on a one on one basis.  She also announces when she will be having a photo shoot.  You don't have to show your face.  The photos are of victims and their allies.  If you are willing to help her out, get a hold of her, she will be happy to take your photo.

 

Shutter the Silence is having their first exhibition at The Healing Center's Hope Shining Gala on Thursday Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30pm at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in the Bradley Pavilion.

 

She is also taking pictures there if you would like to be a part of this :)

 

 

Leanna Vannarom

Photographer

Leanna Vannarom Photography

Founder of Shutter the Silence

(414) 581-7173

lvannaromphotography@gmail.com

 

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Really???

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/04/14224020-porn-site-seeks-new-breast-cancer-charity-after-susan-g-komen-rejects-fundraising-offer

The donations were about helping those with Breast Cancer, does it really matter where the money was donated from?  If their going to be that way, they should look at their other donors.  They HAVE received money from sex workers, myself being one for them.

There are porn performers who get the unfortunate diagnosis of breast cancer; the fact that their sex workers does not make them any less valuable as humans or women.