Freedoms

It's Memorial Day, and you will rarely find me talking about politics or the military here.  I do appreciate what our soldiers and veterans do for us, which is mostly, defending our freedoms.  They ensure that we have rights, and protect us from tyranny.  They keep our country strong to avoid attacks as much as they can.

So, here are some freedoms I am grateful for.  

I'm grateful for the right to an education

for the right to choose what I want in life, rather than have it dictated to me.

I'm grateful for the freedom to choose who I spend my life with, rather than let someone else choose for me.

I'm grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table, the necessities it takes to survive and the wants it takes to enjoy.

I'm grateful I'm able to teach my daughters to be strong, to stand up for what they believe in, and to pursue whatever they want in life.

I'm grateful for the freedom to choose what I want to believe in.

I'm grateful I have the right to vote.

I'm grateful I have a voice.

Today, remember a fallen soldier, and thank a living one.

Ciao,

Megan

F³A: Life's unfairness and how it makes me want to punch people in the face

So, Thing One tried out for select soccer. And you know how I've ranted about select soccer before.  This is the team she was on last year.  They have an A and B team.  Last year she made the B team, which we were disappointed with, as in our personal opinion she was better than a few other players who did make it, but had the pleasure of being pre-acquainted with the coach prior to try outs, i.e. favoritism.  I LOVE favoritism (note: sarcasm)

So, anyhoo she tried out again this year, and once again they have an A and B team, and she has been kicking some ass on the soccer field this year at practices, on the school team, and in indoor.  I would venture to guess, in her last few years of playing soccer the girl has scored twenty to thirty goals between the three teams.  But guess what?  Again, she didn't make the A team. 

This frustrates me for a few reasons.  First, again, she deserves it.  Second, she was one of only a couple forwards trying out for the team. Third, coach was scrambling for players so he invited some girls from another team that folded to come to the practices and all of them made the team.  He invited them to practices AFTER try outs were already held.  THEY WEREN'T AT THE TRYOUTS AND THEY MADE THE TEAM.  AND, my daughter scored two goals against them in indoor last week.  Fourth, it just sucks and made my kid cry. 

To add to it, one of the girls on the A team last year whose dad helps coach the team told Mary she had made it.  That was just wrong and stupid and hateful.

Now, I don't really care which team my girl plays for as long as she plays.  I love watching her on the pitch.  Her passing is brilliance, her crosses, near perfect, and of course I am full of pride when she scores, and love to see how happy it makes her.  I'm upset because she's upset.  And I REALLY don't like it when people hurt my kids.

I'm so mad, I don't even care if they read this blog and he will be getting an email from me today.

Okay, my rant is over for now.  Since this is the Friday Free For All I'll leave you with this weeks favorites.

Current song on my iPod: Fake Plastic Trees by Radiohead

What book is on my nightstand: Greyhound by Steffan Piper though I'm currently still reading Alchemy by Mike Wood.  These should both be on your bookshelf.

Current watch: Dexter Season One.  Watching it on Netflix.  Liking it.

Quotes of the week:

"I know the world isn't fair, but why isn't it ever unfair in my favor?" ~ Bill Watterson

"There is always inequality in life." John F. Kennedy

Paying it Forward Quatro

Much like yesterday's post, when my stepson and his girlfriend moved back here from a stay in Arizona, then California, we wanted to help them out.  They stayed in our basement when they first arrived back, but found an apartment within a week.

They really didn't have much (anything) so we gave them some stuff to use, a blow up mattress, card table and chairs to borrow.  We also gave them some bedding, bathroom towels, and our 43 inch television (I think this was a selfish ploy by my husband to get a new tv).  We went through our cupboards to see if we had doubles of anything, and found things like extra colander, baking dishes, cast iron skillet, we also emptied out our freezer of foods we though they would eat.

Then we hit the store for more food, cleaning items, and some necessities like dish towels, measuring cups, cooking utensils, and things like that.

We wanted them to have a good start back at home.  They seemed very motivated to make it on their own, both finding jobs fairly quickly.

They seem to be doing okay still, though we don't see them much anymore.

That's all for my pay it forward stories for the week.  Don't forget to check out B. Miller's blog and her Pay it Forward Giveaway.

Come back tomorrow for the Friday Free For All, where anything can happen. :)

Ciao,

Megan

Paying it Forward 3.0

A few years back, (which when you're in your 40's means about 10, sigh) the husband's cousin and his wife, along with their young daughter decided to move here from California to be closer to family and get a fresh start.  They lived with my SIL for awhile, and when he found a job, they moved out on their own.

Money was still tight, so we decided to buy a houseful of groceries for them.  When my mom found out what we were doing, she also pitched in.

We tried to get the most for our buck finding things on sale, and staples that would last awhile, like rice, but we also bought a variety of stuff, different kinds of meats, pasta and sauce, coffee, cereal, dairy, bread, and things like cleaning products and other household goods.

We just wanted to help them get on their feet, let them not worry about something, like groceries for a couple of weeks.

Though I know it helps out in a small way, it's also selfish.  I LOVE to give.  It makes me feel great. I just wish I had more means in which to do it. 

Don't forget to visit B. Miller's blog for her Pay it Forward contest.  Become a fan.

When was the last time you helped out someone out?  What did you do for them?

Ciao,

Megan

Paying It Forward Part Deux

The husband and I used to frequent this restaurant for breakfast called the Ruston Inn.  We would go every Sunday, with or without kids, and the waitstaff new us well.  There was this cute dark haired waitress who was very good and very nice and she knew what we wanted before we ordered it.

I remember it was right before the holidays, and my dad had a good year at the office, so he and my mother gave us a generous monetary gift to use for the holidays.  We decided since they did that, that we would pay some of it forward to our favorite waitress.  We are pretty generous tippers to begin with, usually 20%, but that day we ate for about $25 and gave her a $100 tip.

We tried to leave before she found it, but she caught up and tried to give it back.  We refused and she thanked us saying she could really use the money.


Weirdly, we never saw her again.   

I hope we helped her in some small way.

If you have a story you'd like to share, feel free. And don't forget to drop by B. Miller's blog for her Pay it Forward Giveaway.  Become a follower even.

Ciao,

Megan