Shameful Actions

Today, I am ashamed of Mamavation. Today they are acting like the bullies. I'm probably the only one with this point of view.

I don't know what it's like to be the fat kid. I had the opposite problem growing up; everyone thought I was anorexic. That's teasing and hate of a different sort.

Today, I am raising a daughter who weekly claims that she is fat. Somehow in the two years when she was in her father's custody it got put into her head that she's fat. She's not. She's beautiful and strong and tall, but got her dad's body type instead of mine. Because she is not stick thin, she thinks she's fat. I have to remind her every day that she's not. That she is stronger than most of the boys her age and that she is *FIT*. Being skinny does not equal being healthy. But I am teaching her healthy choices and what it means to have a healthy lifestyle even it if means she will never have my body type. I am teaching her to be strong and healthy so that she won't have to worry about diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. We are all too familiar with these diseases because they run rampant in my family.

Yes, Georgia has a shock campaign that highlights children but is aimed at parents.Seriously, sometimes you have to be shocked into taking action.

Ignoring this problem is what got us here It's time to wake up. We can’t continue to ignore the fact that Georgia has the second highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. Kids are now suffering from diseases once seen only in adults. Start by joining the community. It’s a small step in a long journey, but together we can get there. Now is the time to fight back:

"I'm pretty and I want to help other kids"
Mamavation claims "We are refuting however tactics that would inadvertently harm children in the process. .... Campaigns that have a focus on hope, support, and education are far more beneficial to children."

The children in these ads volunteered. They are intelligent. They know they have a weight problem. Not just a weight problem, a health problem. Children at the age of 10 SHOULD NOT be diagnosed with heart disease, hypertension, type-2 diabetes, or continually told that they are "big-boned". The parents need to be educated. If they aren't listening to their doctors, the First Lady, or being shamed by society, maybe they will listen to their kids.

The obese children in GA, and nation-wide have already been hurt by their peers and others who do nothing to address the problem. GA might not be doing it right, if there is a right way, but they are doing something to bring awareness to the parents that PARENTS need to change what they are doing and bring down the shameful statistic of being the second most obese state in the nation.

Watch this video of one of the participating children in the ad campaign. She knows she's overweight and she chose to speak out. She's also choosing, with her mother, to make healthier choices. She chose to take her health into her own hands and is a role model, showing other kids that they can speak up and tell their parents that they want change. How empowering is that?


By the way, Strong4Life does offer hope, support, and education. Check out the site and decide for yourself.

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Wordless Wednesday: Bread of Life

Nothing like a fresh loaf out of the breadmaker, a photo by Nannerlady on Flickr.

Nothing like a fresh loaf out of the breadmaker.

Book Review: Grave Peril

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Vampires, ghosts, and righteous men, oh my!

I'm late to the Dresden Files party, but better late than never right? This edition, read by James Marsters, moves along at a good pace.If I had been reading instead of listening, this definitely would have been a page-turner -- do not bother me until I am done -- type book.

In this installment Harry has his hands full on multiple counts, juggling friends, lovers, enemies, and his fairy godmother. It keeps him going from sun-down to sun-up. He gets so tired he misses vital clues, repeatedly. But once he figures it out, he doesn't leave vengeance to the Lord.

Harry survives, but the ending of this book is real tearjerker.


View all my reviews

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Soft puppy, sleepy puppy, little ball of fur...

Soft puppy, sleepy puppy, little ball of fur..., a photo by Nannerlady on Flickr.

A Visit from St. Nicholas

I can't remember the last time I read this poem to my children. Then again, it's been quite a while since I had both of them with me for Christmas Eve. You can't really maintain traditions if no one shows up.

Illustrator: Jessie Willcox Smith

At least this year I have more Christmas spirit than I have in the last few years. This year is low-key and I've kind of gotten used to the idea of having two Christmases or delaying it until the New Year when we're all together. Three Kings Day works just as well to celebrate the birth of Christ, and in my mind makes much more sense for the 12 Days of Christmas.

Maybe in a year or two I can save up enough to go to Florida for Christmas. That would be weird, I mean, what gets warmer than California at Christmas-time?? But what would be better than Walt Disney World at Christmas-time?

 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

 ~Clement Clarke Moore (1799 - 1863)


Merry Christmas everyone!

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Playtime! Ninja Unboxing

I just came across this today. Unfortunately, I have a deadline to meet. When you have some down time, check it out. There are three videos.

 

And don't forget to play the game in video 3.

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Starbucks Coupon - 20% off Tumblers

Sharing the wealth here. I don't go to Starbucks as often these days since there is a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf nearby and I am still in love with our Keurig machine. Not to mention I just culled four or five coffee tumblers from my cabinet and have to stop myself from buying more. (Must declutter...)

So here you go coffee lovers:

Coupon valid December 19-25

Just click through and print it out for your next trip to Starbucks or use promo code 820 at checkout at StarbucksStore.com 

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Mamavation Monday: No Hating

This morning I don't hate my scale. Down another 1/2 pound. I'll take it. back to 186lbs give or take a few ounces. I've steadily been losing since getting back from vacation. More travel coming up, which means less control of what goes into my mouth, but I have become a lot better at making smarter choices when on the go. Except for coffee.

I know that I probably would make my goal of a full pound or maybe even two if I stopped my ritualistic stop at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf every morning. It's like my work day doesn't really start until I have that cup in my hand. I could bring coffee from home, which I used to do, or even use the Starbucks machine here at work. But I truly love my regular Cafe White Chocolate. And if Eddie makes my drink he always adds a little chocolate syrup. One of my few indulgences since starting work again is my morning coffee.

Ok, enough justifying. I'm just so very glad that I am still losing weight during the holiday season.

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Movies Worth Re-Watching

It's the holiday season and that means days off from work, school, and possibly contagious diseases. Do you remember being home sick, on the couch, or in bed, and watching TV in between doses of Nyquil or Theraflu?

Even when I am not sick, but want to watch something comforting and familiar I turn to these movies:

At the top of my list is "The Princess Bride". It has been my favorite movie since childhood. Romance, action, comedy - what more do you need?

Since it's the holidays, my favorite is "Miracle on 34th Street" - in B&W, not Technicolor. I also love "Arsenic & Old Lace".

When I want a great action flick, I turn to Captain Tightpants and "Serenity ".

If I need a good cry I watch "What Dreams May Come ".

What are some of the movies you watch over and over?

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