I never did like Barbie nor did I ever want to be her

What the hell? Yep, I said it.  WTH is Mattel thinking?  What message are they sending to our girls? They can be anything they want to be...including white, with blonde hair, blue eyes and a body that is algebraically deformed.  I am utterly disappointed in McDonald's but not surprised.  On their behalf, I have already drafted a statement for them to release to the media:

McDonald's apologizes for the recent lapse in judgment.  It was not our intent to offend or suggest that all little brown girls should dream to become little ugly white girls. McDonald's has always been supportive of the black community and continue to attract little brown children with our cheap toys that end up on the floorboards of cars up and down MLK Blvd. We stand by our commitment to be a prevailing source of obesity and many other childhood illnesses including significant damage to self-esteems.  We are currently in the process of reviewing internal locus of control to insure that the head of McDonald's is apprised of any media campaigns intended to perpetuate the supremist attitude conveyed in this message. Additionally, we have hired a diversity coordinator to train our employees  on cultural sensitivity and assure  our customers that this will not happen again in the near future. As an indication of our sincerity, we will now offer chocolate ice cream cones with every happy meal purchased.

How’s that?  I would also like to think that I could implement a complete boycott of all McDonald’s stores.  But where would my boys get their weekly supply of saturated fats? Wait…didn’t we boycott Pappadeaux’s some years ago?

That Kids Face Is Dirty and Other Manners We've Forgotten

"Mommy, why does my little three year old buddy (name has been changed to protect the parents of the innocent) always have a runny nose and a dirty mouth"? 

Can you believe it! The nerve of him asking about the condition of another child's nose or mouth, when I am constantly saying to him, "Wipe your mouth. Wipe your nose"! Or saying, "Let mommy wipe your mouth. Let mommy wipe your nose"!  How ironic it is, that he has noted that someone else always has a dirty nose and mouth-- but not himself. 

I have to admit, I really wanted to laugh.  Then I grew concerned.  What if he posed that exact question to the child himself?  Or worse! What if he asked the parent of the child?  And to add anxiety to my concern,  "the Daddy" got in on the conversation and thought it would be funny if the next time he saw the father of the child in question, he would share our three year old's concern.  

Not!

Even "the Big Brother" recognized, that it was not polite to ask such a question out loud. Whew! I am glad to know that "the Mommy's" moments on manners are resonating in someones brain.

So, I believe we all have agreed, that it is not polite to wonder aloud about the condition of another person’s nose or mouth.  What should you do instead? I'm glad you asked!  Politely offer them a napkin and let them know there is something on their mouth.  Yes, even at three, this is the most appropriate way to handle this type of "sticky" situation.

Teaching manners to kids is no longer the priority it was when I was growing up.  Even Margo on RHOA is taking etiquette classes.  Seriously? You mean to tell me, no one told her before now, that you break off your bread, butter and then eat, instead of buttering the whole bread. Surely she knew long before now, that ladies cross their legs at the ankles.  I guess that is the problem.  Many parents’ today, are not aware of the simple rules of social etiquette and therefore are not teaching them to their children.  After all, how many times lately,  have you followed someone through a door only to have him or her release the door in your face? 

 How rude!

So just to make sure, that Margo (RHOA) is not the only one brushing up on social graces, I have provided a list of five things you could start doing immediately to improve your social behavior. (You're suppose to say, thank you!) 

1. Don't be tardy for the party.  In other words, be on time! Stop being late everywhere you go.
2. Say yes to the dress. Dress appropriately for the occasion.  Just because you think a sundress and cowboy boots are cute does not mean it is appropriate attire. Just because they make it in your size does not mean you should wear it.  After all, if you found it in the store, some other person your size left it there for a reason.
3. You're not a celebrity, so if you must be on the phone, get out of here.  Mobile phones have brought about some extreme conveniences, but you should not use them in certain places  or events. Short list: Church, job interview, date, meeting, prayer, school play, restaurant, examination table, restroom, movie theater, concert, etc. This also includes texting.  
4. What you post online could cause you a deal or no deal. Quit posting all your business on the Internet for all to see.  A future employer, spouse or business partner would think twice about hiring, marrying or investing in you after reading horrid details on Facebook of a relationship gone bad. And even if you are a teenager, five to ten years from now, those details can come back to haunt you.  (Hello Facebook Timeline)
5. In the real world, no one really cares what you are doing, where you have checked into, how many friends you have, how many are following you, who you're linked too, who you like, what you have stumbled upon or what are your Pinterest if you are rude and impolite.  Say bless you if I sneeze, follow request with a please, and no matter what they do, don't you forget to say thank you!

And now, you along with Margo are well on your way to better habits, cleaner faces and much better social graces.

Be still for a while and praise God

Thought I would try something different today...

THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY!  I HOPE YOU DECIDE TO STAY A WHILE. And if not, be sure to stop in often, because I am making major changes daily!

Happy New Year

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.             2 Corinthians 5:17

It's time for reflection, resolutions and repurpose.

Wow the year is almost over and I am thinking of all of the New Year's resolutions I can break.   There is something about the start of a new year that inspires us to become reflective.  The problem is it is short lived.

Out with the old. In with the repurposed!

But regardless of my personal disdain for resolutions, there are a few things I must get in order in 2012...stay tuned I'll post them soon.  In the meantime, maybe you could share some of yours with me...

Hot Cocoa Deer! on Twitpic

The boys are co-hosting their Jack and Jill activity this weekend. They wanted to make these to go inside of the bags the kids will get as part of their Downtown Dallas Holiday Scavenger Hunt. This started out as a great idea....and ended up somewhat of a mess! But nevertheless, we did enjoy ourselves.

Hot Cocoa Deer! on Twitpic

Everywhere you go in the D-FW area there is construction. The inconvenience of a detour has caused me to think about how life is very much about changes, delays and improvements. The Brainy Quote defines Construction as
The method of construing, interpreting, or explaining a declaration or fact; an attributed sense or meaning; understanding; explanation; interpretation; sense.

Here are a few things I have realized lately about life and construction.

• Construction like life is unpredictable.
• You never know where a detour is going to take you but your final destination should not change.
• Everyone is not supposed to use the same route.
• Construction (like life changes) is not always convenient but should provide you with a better outcome.
• Construction should be well planned after some thought and consideration.
• It is hard to communicate to someone else about how to navigate construction delays. Just as it is hard to tell someone else how to navigate through their life changes.
• Sometimes major construction occurs all at the same time. (Job loss, divorce, weight gain/loss.)
• Just when you think it’s complete, there is more construction to come.
• Construction requires us to drive with caution. Life often requires living cautiously.
• Construction never seems to be complete. We should always seek to improve our lives.
• You are expected to check your route in advance for delays. No one is obligated to tell you when the road ahead may be closed.
• Everyone does not always agree with the timing of construction.

It is at any given point in our lives that we may find ourselves under major construction. There may be some things going on in our life that cause us to proceed with caution; forcing us to heed the warnings of the detour signs. At the end of construction, there should be notable improvements. Our life should be wider, our roads should be smoother, and our journey should be ours. When there are no roadblocks in sight, that doesn’t mean there may not be delays ahead. It just means that we have what we need to navigate the turns, the yields, the merges and the stops. I’ve noticed that just like construction, everyone around you should notice the changes. Everyone should see the improvements you have made. There are things that happen on the roads that require needed improvements. Rain, heat or snow may leave roads damaged and daily living may require repairs in your life. The construction around the Metroplex makes me wonder, what changes or improvements are needed in my life. Which roads should I repair, and which lanes should I widen? And, if I start to think that all is well, I stop and think about the parts of town or roads that have not been under construction---people tend to avoid those areas. Who wants to drive their new car on an old raggedy road?