Did you ever go into someone's house as a child and they had a huge collection of something, maybe they even had a room dedicated to their precious cat statues or replicas of the Eiffel Tower? Now I know how those seemingly eccentric borderline hoarders begin. They find something they like and maybe pick a few ceramic garden gnomes (or whatever their eventual vice) and tell the wrong people how much they adore their small collection. From that point on they're doomed.
For the past three years I have gotten at least one Belle related gifts on Christmas because I made the mistake of telling my best friend in high school she was my favorite Disney princess at the time. Beware of being overly enthusiastic about anything around kind souls that will remember. That high school best friend became my college roommate, who then passed her knowledge of perceived all-consuming love of Belle to my now husband. Now if I don't receive a Belle present from at least one of them for Christmas they feel as if they failed me. I foresee a future where Belle gifts dominate my entire Christmas because my children will learn that "Mom loves Belle and wants more stuff for her collection". Belle is a now a built in back up present for anyone in my life that isn't inspired as to what a good gift would be for me. Of course now even if I was tempted to grow out of my love of Belle I will never admit it to my husband or friend because although my Belle merchandise may not be the source of boundless delight that is intended(and may instead be the beginning of my hoarding problem) I do cherish the thoughtfulness of these gifts from these dear people. And really, if you're going to hoard something Belle merchandise is at least pretty.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Snape is the Hero We Needed but Not the Hero That Deserves Veneration
Snape played a vital role in winning the war against Voldemort and he does posses some redeeming qualities as well as a pitiful backstory. However, his backstory is not so pitiful, nor his decent qualities so grand as to erase the many, many wrongs he commits and his serious character flaws.
His backstory of his sad life with his bleak parents is sad. But it far from makes up for his actions as an adult. He retained his ability to rise above his pitiful home life and failed to do so. Even if you (mistakenly) believe that a poor home life (which his was sad but not overly horrible) earn the individual a free ticket to behave poorly the rest of their lives murdering and aligning yourself with the perpetrator of genocide is unforgivably past what can be in good conscience excused.
His backstory of his sad life with his bleak parents is sad. But it far from makes up for his actions as an adult. He retained his ability to rise above his pitiful home life and failed to do so. Even if you (mistakenly) believe that a poor home life (which his was sad but not overly horrible) earn the individual a free ticket to behave poorly the rest of their lives murdering and aligning yourself with the perpetrator of genocide is unforgivably past what can be in good conscience excused.
The Beginning of Happily Ever After
Once upon a time there was a boy named Greg and a girl named Sarah. And they fell in love. After a while Greg knew that he wanted to marry Sarah so with the help of some trusty friends he soon hatched a plan.
Sarah was impatient to know when he would propose so he told her when he bought the ring and that she would know a proposal was coming because she would find hints. Sarah then kept a watchful eye out for hints.
One day as she was getting ready to go to class she found some personalized m&ms in her cupboard and on her bed and in her backpack. A note that confirmed Greg's love accompanied the ones on her bed. This of course made Sarah very excited as she anticipated the upcoming proposal.
The next day Greg brought over a small package to give to Sarah.It was the most delightful and adorable Nativity and a letter from her beloved.
The Most Wonderful Holiday of the Year
Christmas is one of the two most important holidays (the other more important one is Easter) and is my favorite. It is my favorite for three main reasons, the fun activities on and around Christmas, the spirit of goodwill that abounds as we feel the love for our Savior and humanity, and the fact that my birthday falls on Christmas.
There are so many fun things to do leading up to, and on Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is caroling, exchanging of Christmas cards, Christmas treats from Grandma and drinking hot chocolate and eggnog. When I say treats from Grandma I feel I should elaborate so you get the full magnificence of this Christmas tradition. Last year my Grandma "cut back" as she is in her 70's and isn't up to making as much. The cost to ship the gigantic box she sent us cost the same amount of money that we normally spend on a week's worth of groceries, and I nearly threw out my back bringing it in the house. It then covered our table and provided enough food to sustain us till Valentine's day. Last time we counted she makes fourteen different varieties of fudge, and it is an insult to ask for less than 4 flavors.
My absolute favorite thing about Christmas is the spirit of goodwill and love that is palpable that time of year. I love that we remember our Savior and that motivates us to show love to others. Even those that do not believe in Christ celebrate His birth and are moved by the spirit of joy and goodwill that accompanies celebrating His birth, regardless of their attempts to remove Christ from Christmas.
Lastly, having Christmas is on my birthday is the absolute best. The best day of the year is also the day I get showered with attention, affection, presents and the food of my choice. I never have a lousy birthday. No one ever forgets it and I never have to go to school or work. I get to celebrate the best day of the year and bask in everyone also celebrating me.
There are so many fun things to do leading up to, and on Christmas! It really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is caroling, exchanging of Christmas cards, Christmas treats from Grandma and drinking hot chocolate and eggnog. When I say treats from Grandma I feel I should elaborate so you get the full magnificence of this Christmas tradition. Last year my Grandma "cut back" as she is in her 70's and isn't up to making as much. The cost to ship the gigantic box she sent us cost the same amount of money that we normally spend on a week's worth of groceries, and I nearly threw out my back bringing it in the house. It then covered our table and provided enough food to sustain us till Valentine's day. Last time we counted she makes fourteen different varieties of fudge, and it is an insult to ask for less than 4 flavors.
My absolute favorite thing about Christmas is the spirit of goodwill and love that is palpable that time of year. I love that we remember our Savior and that motivates us to show love to others. Even those that do not believe in Christ celebrate His birth and are moved by the spirit of joy and goodwill that accompanies celebrating His birth, regardless of their attempts to remove Christ from Christmas.
Lastly, having Christmas is on my birthday is the absolute best. The best day of the year is also the day I get showered with attention, affection, presents and the food of my choice. I never have a lousy birthday. No one ever forgets it and I never have to go to school or work. I get to celebrate the best day of the year and bask in everyone also celebrating me.
Turns Out Free from Craigslist IS Too Good to Be True
It didn't take long once I got married for my in-laws to stay with us, in fact the first time my apartment was filled in-laws was before we even got married. I held on to the naive hope that they invasions would be infrequent and that my in-laws would be deterred by our lack of bed. No such luck. They would bring their own air mattress. I was eventually convinced that my in-laws were gracious enough to do so many things for us that we could buy an air mattress for them to use. Again, I naively believed this would be enough of a bed considering how much I hoped they would visit. I was then introduced to the fact that the family I married into expected a bed and preferably a guest room always be available for their many, many visits, and nothing we did or didn't do would stop these visits. Thus, we began our search for a real guest bed.
While we had resigned ourselves to the fact that we were obligated to buy a bed we did not want to drop a lot of money on one considering our poor newlywed status. We took to the internet to find a cheap mattress.
While we had resigned ourselves to the fact that we were obligated to buy a bed we did not want to drop a lot of money on one considering our poor newlywed status. We took to the internet to find a cheap mattress.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Gilmore Guys: A Guide
If you're up on your news then you're aware of the exciting upcoming event; that's right the Gilmore Girls revival. In light of this upcoming phenomenon I thought I would discuss the Gilmore guys and my expectations for how they should interact with the well-loved Gilmore girls.
First we'll explore Rory's boyfriends, one of which is rumored to be who she will end up with in the much anticipated revival. Let's establish right here that she shouldn't end up with any of them at this point in time. The exception is if was has been in a relationship with one of them (a specific one that I'll explain later) for most of the missing time between the series ending and revival.
Rory's first boyfriend Dean provided a nice first boyfriend for her but their relationship would have been much better if they had not continued it long past its expiration date. When they date the first time Rory treats him horribly when Jess enters the picture and that was unfair to Dean. An argument can also be made that Dean is emotionally manipulative for breaking up with her when she doesn't say "I love you" back to him. I don't think he was intentionally trying to manipulate her and was genuinely surprised when she didn't express love for him but I do think it was a dumb reason to break up, especially since they were teenagers that should have been avoiding trying to forge such a deep emotional attachment. The fact that they were indeed teenagers does explain (in part) his stupidity in wanting to be in love and consequently upset by the lack of reciprocation. However, he does not grow out of this youthful immaturity as demonstrated by his marriage and then affair. Rory and Dean barely made sense as teenagers but they really don't make sense as a couple as adults.
First we'll explore Rory's boyfriends, one of which is rumored to be who she will end up with in the much anticipated revival. Let's establish right here that she shouldn't end up with any of them at this point in time. The exception is if was has been in a relationship with one of them (a specific one that I'll explain later) for most of the missing time between the series ending and revival.
Rory's first boyfriend Dean provided a nice first boyfriend for her but their relationship would have been much better if they had not continued it long past its expiration date. When they date the first time Rory treats him horribly when Jess enters the picture and that was unfair to Dean. An argument can also be made that Dean is emotionally manipulative for breaking up with her when she doesn't say "I love you" back to him. I don't think he was intentionally trying to manipulate her and was genuinely surprised when she didn't express love for him but I do think it was a dumb reason to break up, especially since they were teenagers that should have been avoiding trying to forge such a deep emotional attachment. The fact that they were indeed teenagers does explain (in part) his stupidity in wanting to be in love and consequently upset by the lack of reciprocation. However, he does not grow out of this youthful immaturity as demonstrated by his marriage and then affair. Rory and Dean barely made sense as teenagers but they really don't make sense as a couple as adults.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Small Miracles Come in Expensive Packages
Babies are expensive. It has been crazy to try to get everything together that we need for our little girl. There are so many things! It is overwhelming because we feel like we need everything and there are things that are okay to skimp on or get second hand but not a lot when it comes to our baby. We have gotten a lot of stuff from my sister-in-law, which is great because their good quality things from a trusted source. We would be more open to second hand things if their were more people we knew willing to part with their baby things. As it is, we have to buy most of the stuff ourselves so that has caused a lot of research on quality and pricing.
Some advice from someone who is still figuring out what she is doing: register at Burlington/Baby Depot. Go to Burlington, Wal-Mart and Babies R Us (and whatever other store you want) to see what you like, but also register online. There are so many more affordable options online than in the store. We registered at Babies R Us first in the store and it completely skewed our idea of what things cost and what we actually need. Going to the store is helpful for discovering what products are actually like but for price comparisons and for a greater selection I would highly recommend going online. Combining both means you'll find the best prices and selection but you won't get burned by reviews that are overly enthusiastic or that do not reflect your personal needs.
Some advice from someone who is still figuring out what she is doing: register at Burlington/Baby Depot. Go to Burlington, Wal-Mart and Babies R Us (and whatever other store you want) to see what you like, but also register online. There are so many more affordable options online than in the store. We registered at Babies R Us first in the store and it completely skewed our idea of what things cost and what we actually need. Going to the store is helpful for discovering what products are actually like but for price comparisons and for a greater selection I would highly recommend going online. Combining both means you'll find the best prices and selection but you won't get burned by reviews that are overly enthusiastic or that do not reflect your personal needs.
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