Friday, March 30, 2012

In Remembrance

On Sunday, April 1, it will be the one year anniversary of Dad Kramer's passing.

He is dearly missed.

When I am gone, release me let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we had so many years
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave to me in happiness

I thank you for the love you have shown
But now it’s time I traveled alone
So grieve a while for me if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It’s only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart
I won’t be far away. For life goes on

So if you need me call and I will come
Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be there
And if you listen with your heart you’ll hear
All of my love around you soft and clear
And then when you must come this way alone
I’ll greet you with a smile and welcome you home

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Being Grandma


Last Friday I got to babysit lil' miss Adelyn while Mama-san went to see "Hunger Games" with "Mean Uncle Brian."

We had fun. Played with toys, and walked outside, and took two naps, and sang, and danced, and clapped and giggled.

She got a wee little fussy when she woke up from her nap and Mommy was not there. Cried real tears. Broke Grandma's heart.

But we went upstairs and jumped on the bed while I sang from the Wizard of Oz "Oh eee Oh... EEE OH UM" . She LOVED that. As soon as I stopped she'd cry! LOL.

Anyhow, she is such a cutie patootie and I had a blast and a workout to boot!

Couldn't get her to take a bottle though, but as soon as mommy got there, she took the bottle fine. What's up with that? ha ha ha. Guess she wasn't hungry til then.

Anyhow, I think I'm gonna like being a grandma. Can't wait till she's old enough to come bake cookies, and play barbies.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Knowledge is Power -- not permission!


I wrote a letter to the Governor of Utah recently. Not something I ever get involved in, but I got mad and had to share my opinion regarding the recent events of teaching "Abstinence only" in Utah schools in regards to sex education.

While I do hope that kids will wait until their married, and I am definitely pro abstinence, I also believe it is vitally important to teach children all about human reproduction/sexuality and how it all works and how to prevent disease and how to prevent pregnancy.

When I was in highschool, in the 80's, they taught us everything. I had an EXCELLENT sex ed teacher who was open, frank, honest, and in presenting everything, she did a very good job of persuading you to choose abstinence.

We learned how to put condoms on. (using a banana). We learned what IUDs, diaphrams, the pill, the sponge, etc... were and how they were used. We learned about diseases, and what they did and what they could do. We learned about responsibility that comes with those choices.

Never once, in any of the times I went to class did I ever get the urge to experiment. Or the desire to have sex. Nope. I was definitely one to wait until marriage.

Some of my friends were not. Some of them got pregnant and suffered the consequences. But you know what, never once did they say they went ahead and had sex because of sex ed class.

Giving highschool kids the knowledge of how it works, the responsibility and consequences, and plain common sense is POWER. It is not permission to go do it.

So many parents do NOT talk to their children about sex education. So if the parents don't, and the school won't... then the kids will learn from movies, television, graphic novels, video games, and other friends who do not know what the heck they are talking about either!!

If I were learning from those sources when I was in highschool. I would have had sex. Movies and television make it look so romantic and fun. Of course I would have done it! But I had knowledge. And it gave me power to say "NO" and it gave me the right knowledge instead of the wrong.

My parents didn't talk to me about sex. I had to learn it all at school. And then had to learn a lot more after I got married. (there's a lot they don't tell ya in school.... and I wish they had).

Anyhow.... I told Governor Herbert to keep the power with the parents in whether they allow their child to attend class or they opt out. I also encouraged that they teach more than abstinence and said the same to him. "Knowledge is Power." ENCOURAGE abstinence. But instruct on the other areas.

And I think it has nothing to do with religion either. I know more LDS girls who had sex before they got married than those who didn't. And maybe if they had received a little more knowledge and responsibility information they would have seen WHY they should choose the right.

It's a tough battle out there. I think todays youth must be armed with information. I have talked openly with David about everything. He and I have very good communication. I don't recall talking to my older kids about sex. At all. They never asked. David is curious and he asks a lot of questions and I am honest with him.

Some would call me a fence sitter. I always thought that was a person who couldn't make up their mind. But in my case, it's a person who agrees with things on both sides of the fence. Take abortion for instance. I am PRO LIFE. I am sad that we have abortion. I am sad that anyone would choose abortion. BUT-- I want it to be legal and safe for those who DO make that choice. And I do think there are instances when it could be the right choice depending on the circumstances. It's not for me to judge. But if it's going to be.... I want it safe and legal.

So, now I will step off my soapbox and get back to work. Just had to say my two cents.

And remember.... "use a condom!"

Monday, March 12, 2012

Diet changes


I am drinking protein shakes (made with Greek yogurt, wheat germ, rice milk, strawberries and chia seeds). And eating Black Rice pudding (made with black rice and unsweetened coconut milk and vanilla extract.

I like both because they abate my hunger pretty well. Rice is cheap, so I recently bought a whole variety of brown, jasmine, black, wild, basmati, etc... and plan to experiment and make different things with them. Also trying to incorporate more beans and less meat. More veggies and less junk.

My back is threatening to herniate again. I can feel it. I need to exercise to lose weight, but I can't exercise because of my back. It's a vicious circle. I need a pool that I can swim in. Privately. LOL. I am not looking good in a swimsuit these days.

All I want to do is sleep. Just sleep. Just let me sleep. My sleep cycle is messed up again. I hate it when that happens. No wonder I'm so cranky. (Yep, still am).


Thursday, March 8, 2012

Bad case of the crankies again....












































I really hate it when I feel like this. Like I do. Today. Yesterday. Day before that. CRANKY. Everything goes wrong.... computer crashes 5 times. Phone dies. Kindle is acting weird. Stomach doesn't like anything I feed it. Work doesn't get done. I dream about weird things. (If I even sleep!). It's a full moon again and I have a case of the LUNA-TIC madness.

Absolutely every single thing, and every single person, and every single moment is just irritating.

Control my thoughts, you say. Think HAPPY stuff.

Yeah, I'm trying. Can't find my happy thought.

Count my blessings..... ooooh not in the mood to do that. Causes too much guilt. Makes me realize I have no reason to wallow.

Realize the sun will come out tomorrow. (Yeah, right. Probably snow tomorrow. That seems to be the cycle... tease of spring, hit with winter, tease of spring again, then ice...)

I thought my hubby would be home Saturday. Looks like that may not be the case and I think THAT is what is putting me in such a very BAD MOOD!

We didn't get raises at work. Haven't got a raise for a couple years. I need a raise. I need the money. Money is tight. Hate money worries.

So, I'm cranky. Grumpy. PMS without the MS. Negative energy reigns in the house of Hernandez.

whenever I feel like this I always think of that children's book "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day."

Loved that book. Always made me feel better. Because I realize.... some days are like that.... even in Australia.

And she comments on THIS one?

I have an area in my cube that is full of pictures of Karin, Brett, Bryttan, Michael, Brian, David, Adelyn.... and .... Moose. Well, there is ONE of Moose.

90% of the people who come over and comment on the pictures say things like "You have a beautiful family." or, "your granddaughter is so cute!" or "Look at the size difference between your son and his wife!"

But there is one lady.... who ALWAYS comments on this picture of Moose. And ONLY on this picture.

And I found out yesterday she has been thinking this whole time that the dog belongs to my friend Jan. And I said "Noooo, that is MY GRAND-DOGGIE!"

Geez, why can't people keep my family straight?

LOL....

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Big Boo Boo.....



















I feel soooo bad at a screw up I did. OH NO!

I type up the Visiting teaching messages for the sisters at church each month. I accidently typed this: Through Relief Society, we have opportunities to use our gifts to strengthen families, help those in need, and learn how to lie as disciples of Jesus Christ.

It should say "LIVE" not "Lie".......

further down I wrote: Let us remember we are draughts of God.

It's supposed to be "DAUGHTERS" of God... not draughts -- like BEER draughts!!!!

I didn't even notice this error.... I printed out the messages, folded them all (over 100) and dropped them off....

They pointed it out on Sunday. I was like "OH MY GOLLY!"

How utterly embarrassing. . . Spell checker did not even pick it up because... the words are spelled correctly!