Me & the Family

Me & the Family

Saturday, November 21, 2009

An all American Girl game!

Last night we went on a mini-adventure with my father-in-law that included dinner and a trip to Toys R Us.  The kids already have everything that they want/need and the upcoming Christmas has people asking...what should we get the kids for Christmas?  What better way then a trip to the store.

My youngest desperately wants a hula-hoop.  I, myself, attempted the art of hula-hooping but failed drastically.  Izzy, on the other hand, was able to do two at a time for several minutes.  I never thought that my 10 year old (nearly 11) would want a hula-hoop for Christmas.

After spending some time checking out the new DJ Hero...a glance to the right brought me to this...



It was a corner of complete pinkness in an effort to get some games sold.

Tommy and I had a conversation with the kids about Ouija just the other day.  Why?  I was about their age when I was first introduced to the Ouija board.  It was an event that I will never forget nor will the girls that were there as well.

Now, most of you who read this know that I am a Christian.  To me, it has nothing to do with my Christian upbringing.  Regardless of whether or not I choose Christianity...I feel that there is darkness and there is light.  There is good and there is evil.  Just as much as I have seen wonderful miracles happen before my eyes and sensed a presence of something I could not explain...I have also felt the tingles of something quite the opposite.

You cannot argue with your feelings and intuitions.
When you sense something is not right.
When you feel that something is evil...you heed the warnings.

Thus the children were told to not challenge the things that we do not understand.  Why try to speak to the dead about the living?  It seems that I have heard that somewhere...

Any ways, the Ouija board.

Do kids still have parties and pull one out?  What parents would actually buy this game for their kids?  I mean, even if you did not really contact the dead or demons...who would try?  Those were my thoughts just the other day.  The kids had never heard of one...maybe it just does not happen any more.

And then I came across that.
Marketing.

Apparently it gives you lots of questions you can ask the dead.   

"It has always been mysterious. It has always been mystifying. And now the OUIJA Board is just for you, girl. With 72 fun questions included, you'll never run out of things to ask. Who will call/text me next? Will I be a famous actor someday? Who wishes they could trade places with me?"


Not only can you get the girlie version of this game you can also get it in glow in the dark!

I have been reading reviews and such about the "game" and of course there are two sides.  One side says stay away, it's evil...and the other side says don't be a religious fanatic it's just a game.  I ran across these reviews on Amazon and what I realized was there is a middle-of-the road.  There are those that believe that there are spirits and something unexplainable on this Earth.  Some of these people are religious and others just believe that they are here.  Then there are those that believe we are just people and we are going to live and we are going to die and that is that.

This is coming from someone middle of the road:

"I'm surprised that someone didn't think of making a glow-in-the-dark Ouija board long before this one came out. My only complaint is that both the board and the planchette are a bit smaller than standard- if you are comfortable with the standard board then this can definately be a bit distracting. It will hold a "charge" for approximately 30 minutes. Once again, if you are not used to time limits on your sessions, then this can also prove distracting. My advice is to keep the candles handy.

The talking board is only a tool- neither good nor evil. However, it is a tool far different from divination aids such as the tarot, runes, or the various I Ching methods. With all talking boards you are openly inviting the influence of disembodied entities. Be very careful what you are opening the door to. I wouldn't even consider using it without deep and sincere prayers for protection. Low-level spirits can only influence those who are "vibrating" on the same low level. Examine your motives and your maturity before you experiment here.

To some people tarot cards are just paper, to some this will just be plastic and fiberboard. YOU bring the vital component to the table. It all depends on your sensitivity and connection to the other side." 


Apparently the use of a Ouija and those that collect them and use them often....the practice is called Divination.  Divination is derived from latin meaning "to forsee, to be inspired by a god, related to divine" and is a way to gain insight by way of a process or ritual.

I want this to be an open discussion.

So...discuss!  Have you ever used one?  What was your experience?  What do you feel about advertising so that little girls may or may not be able to open up a gateway to the dead?

Friday, November 20, 2009

Change

11/4/09

Where have I been?

Yes, I am still alive and breathing. I have taken some time off from lots of various things to, well, find myself. I have been running in circles for several years and "surviving" my life instead of living it.

So, things are changing.



I quit my job.

Yes, probably one of the craziest things to do and I have done it. Money is tighter then it has ever been. The hubby is telling the kids that we are in the Great Depression...at least our own.

I have learned how to save a lot of money though...and that, to me, is awesome! This week alone we are eating on $50. For a family of 5 I feel that is pretty incredible. Our weekly food budget was around $100-$120 before. We are now $50-$70. You have to understand that 4 our of 5 people in the family eat adult portions. AND...we have two dogs. The hubby would say that we have 1 and 1/4 dogs. :)

I have also learned how to iron shirts for the hubby and groom even the BIG dog! Dry cleaning alone saves us $100 a month and the groomers $140 every 2-3 months. We have not eaten out in, it seems, FOREVER. Our friends did take us to lunch after church the other day.

Speaking of that lunch...I have learned to make some pretty snazzy tasting sandwiches from leftover meat. I usually make these for the hubby who no longer eats out for lunch, but comes home. He had a pulled rib sandwich one day, a chipotle chicken arepa (they are super good)...and other fantastic sandwiches.

I don't like sandwiches and I even like these!

My 80's slumber party was a hit. That was actually a couple of days before I quit. We all had a blast, let our guards down, and stayed up until 3am laughing and talking...just like when we were little girls.

I have been reading my Bible more and trying to focus my life on what it needs to be focused on. The past couple of years...well, they have just been really hard on me. I have found myself in a weird position where I know that God is in control...yet I don't feel God. I feel next to nothing towards anything.

Numb.

I don't know if the two are connected but I have started taking an herbal coffee & tea. It actually is to help regulate the body's thermostat so that you burn stored fat. This stuff, it just makes me FEEL better! I'm smiling and laughing and playing. I'm feeling again.

When you haven't felt for a while, it's a nice thing.
I need passion in my life.

There are things in my life I need to feel passionate about. My family for instance.

Other then that...

My sister is taking her chemo now. We are all gathering at her house for Thanksgiving. All the sisters and our children and our parents. It will be insane but good for all of us. I will be writing here more again. That trip alone should provide a LOT of material!

Do you want to come along on my spiritual journey?
How about my finding happiness journey?

Love you guys.
Sorry I've been gone.

But I'm back. :)

How have YOU guys been?!!!!