Miley Cyrus

So maybe I'm saying the words of a 60 year old here. But I was reading a blog article over at Catholic Exchange about a mother having to explain to her 11 year old about how the world expects something different than what her parents and God expect from her. That Miss Miley as entertaining as she is (seriously, I definitely laugh when I watch or more so listen to Hannah MontanaAnd maybe thats why its more entertaining to me, I simply listen to the jokes instead of examine the wardrobe), can be offputting to concerned parents when she dresses like a slut.
However, most women's fashions today have us all dressing like sluts. An unfortunate consequence of 60's feminism I think. We dress in less to display our womanly figure, but really we don't realize how detrimental our immodest dress is to society. We have men think nothing of us but sex objects, and if it isn't that far, they have to go to confession more frequently because there are women who forgot the whole shirt or skirt that make it so easy for a man to undress them with their eyes. And then we have young girls trying to emmulate their older sister, the women on TV or perhaps their mom, which in turn means that these little girls of 10, 11 or 12 now having to be taught comprehensive sex ed because their bodies are being clothed in a way that suggests that they are after sex.
So to come back to Miley, with her song lyrics being mostly clean, parents are more apt to let their children listen to her music. However, when she presents herself to be a sex object of all legs and breast showing shirts that pole dances and her parents approve, we run into issues. Pretty much all of her female back-up dancers were only wearing bras and underwear. The girl is 16! A 16 year old should still be innocent and not sexy. She can be sexy later with her husband, but not to the whole world. So yes, I am probably going to be labeled a prude after this, but I can take that.

the word is out

Since its past the 3 month mark, its more safe to say now that I am having a baby that is due March 6th. This is kinda super fun to me, the only scary part as of present is how my advisor will take it (since he seems to be out of the office again!). Anyway, we are gonna be surprised with whether is it is a boy or a girl, which is also super exciting. I have started thinking about things that I will need. I am a strange one, so I want to try things like cloth diapers and baby carriers instead of strollers for the first few months. Honestly, I am not sure how it will all go down when the time comes, but I am hopeful that these will work out. I also want to try co-sleeping which apparently helps with SIDS and such, and also lets you get more sleep, you just have to be ok with not having your privacy that you normally have. And the way I grew up, this is ok with me. I sometimes wonder how to go about registering for things, if people decide to throw a shower, because I don't want all the crazy gadgets, but instead would rather have just the basics, but good durable basics. So those are my thoughts, maybe I'm too what they call "granola" about my approach, but I just think that by being so, I can be more frugal and give more love instead of stuff and money to my mothering approach.

since ya'll know

I am gonna write my food likes and dislikes thus far:

Likes:
Most fruit
Thin Crust Pizza
Pickles
Cucumbers
Cheese
Rolls if they are buttery
Green Beans
Peppers
Perogies
Baked Potatoes
French Fries
Chips
Anything Chicken
Fresh Spinach
Pork
Jello
Bran-like Cereal

Dislikes:
Mushrooms
Candy
Milk Chocolate
Italian anything minus pizza
Peanut Butter
Fruit in Yogurt
Any Ice Cream besides dark chocolate or mint chocolate chip
Bread
Jelly
Ground Beef if its not in the form of a hamburger
Coffee due to acidity
Garlic and anything strongly garlic flavored

I am sure there are more likes and dislikes, but those are the ones that come to mind. Very odd things I think, but oh well it will come back to normal one day I am told.

seven quick takes, lazy Saturday edition

1. Successfully held a softball party last night, full of veggie eaters.

2. Took a two-hour nap this afternoon and it felt quite lovely.

3. Went to a garage sale this morning and had fun buying $1 clothes that had never been worn and were originally priced $40.

4. Keith has put in a major attempt to fix/clean the smelly dishwasher that really has been troublesome lately. I am praying that it works.

5. I am in a countdown mode till next Wednesday at 8am. For those of who know why, pray that it goes well.

6. This morning I actually made a hot breakfast which happens at the most 4 times a year. Keith declared it yummy, so in my book that is a success.

7. Laundry is all folded and about to be put away and its not even 5pm yet on Saturday.

reminder

This may be a short rant, I apologize in advance for that. I am constantly reminded why a certain person never knows any of my personal business, because as soon as she does, she makes a nuisance out of herself, by either one-upping me, bragging about her way of doing something or being completely unresponsive/showing a lack of compassion. I am sure she doesn't really mean to react this way to things, but seriously it drives me insane sometimes. I really don't think she ever gives hugs unless you initiate them, and I don't think she would ever give you one even if you really looked down. Why can't she have a normal person's response? Oh wait that would make her not her and actually human. Instead she is what she is, someone who constantly tests my nerves but for some reason likes my company. Why? The other two are just fine to deal with, a little cooky but still decent folks. Any idea on how to deal with her civilly without killing her when I visit in two weeks? I usually manage but really if you have any extra advice let me know.

Seven quick takes Friday

1. Though there is soccer to play today at lunch, I really don't want to play because I am quite tired.

2. Today is a major breakout day, and for that I feel ugly and want to avoid human contact at all cost.

3. Keith plays softball tonight, granted it doesn't rain, which is kinda the way its looking today.

4. I really want someone to buy our house so we can move already.

5. Since my appetite is limited these days, I am unfortunately eating meat today. But I now do not like bread, or eggs, so this is what I am left with.

6. I am excited for Catholic Heart Workcamp starting on Sunday. It should be a good week.

7. I am really getting into the Joshua Tree by U2 lately, or at least whats been playing of it on my Pandora station.

putting the why behind the don't

So growing up, the mentality from adults seemed to be to tell kids don't do it, but never to give realistic consequences, or only to give scare tactics.

Or in other situations, when you had to do something, there was never a good reason why you had to do it, you just had to.

Maybe this worked for some kids, but for the most, and myself included, it led to pushing the boundaries.

So why do parents or guardians or adults in authority say these things without reasonable explanation?

1.) That's the way their parents or teachers etc did and and despite wanting to be different they practice the same technique here.

2.) The adult already has their own problems to deal with and doesn't want to get into the why at the moment, or the why makes them uncomfortable because they themselves have never really thought about why they do something.

3.) Playing off the last one, they don't know the why behind the not or the must of doing something.

I think that there are probably more reasons, and maybe less critical reasons behind the lack of explanation, but these are what I came up with.

Now as for giving an explanation why, sometimes scare tactics are involved, especially with sex. There is always the pregnancy or STD factor that is brought up. But I am pretty sure there is no real explanation as to why it is better to have sex with only your spouse, and how sex is a reflection of God's love. Instead at least in my youth experience, sex was bad, dirty, and only the kids without morals had it. No explanation as to the why behind not engaging in it was good. Nothing about how waiting will actually give you time to figure out who you are, and what you want without having added more complication. And to actually have security in your relationship etc.

anyway, without going into more detail, I want to be the parent who can give the why behind something and have it be loving and truthful. I'll have to let you know further down the road if this idea actually gets put into practice well or not.