Dying of Cancer but My Lashes Look Good

I hate drug commercials - the kind that try to convince you that you need a pill for something with a list of side effects often sounding worse than the whatever-you-got-itis the magic pill was supposed to cure in the first place. But today I saw a commercial that surely took the cake. Enter Latisse.

In and day and age where people are losing their homes and struggling to feed their children, when breast cancer is still uncured and Alzheimer's is ever increasing, what new and wonderful medical break-through am I supposed to get excited about? Thicker eye-lashes. Yep. You heard me. A new miracle treatment for "inadequate or not enough lashes" says the commercial. In only 16 weeks you can have thicker, longer eye lashes (by prescription only so run to your doctor immediately) and if you're lucky it won't temporarily stain your eyelids or permanently increase the brown pigmentation of your eyes. Hmmm....

I have a grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's right now. Thanks to a recently released medication she is now able to remember to eat her meals, call her children by name (though not her grandchildren) and can SOMETIMES keep the days of the week straight now. It's because of this quietly released medication that she's seen this type of improvement.

I can't help but feel a little angry that so much money was spent on research, development and advertising a prescription drug to grow eyelashes - an issue of vanity - when there are so many other, forgive me saying it, MORE IMPORTANT issues out there!

Now I'm sure there really is some medical condition where people can't grow eyelashes - similar to the condition where you can't grow hair (For which I've donated hair to Locks of Love many times in my life). But that is NOT what this commercial showed. At all. It said "Grow More Lashes!". For only $120 per month, because, you know, I have nothing better to do with that much money. *rolls eyes - minimally lashed though they may be*

I don't know about you, but I'd rather kill cancer and save brain cells myself.

Why Carrie Prejean, Miss California, is Getting Such Buzz

Why is Carrie Prejean, the Miss California contestant from the 2009 Miss USA pageant, getting such an enormous amount of press? Is it simply because of the answer to her interview question? I don't think so. I think much of the buzz has to do with her ability to answer a tough question with HONESTY.

I'll be honest - I didn't watch the Miss USA pageant. Frankly, there is a lot about the show that I do not like. But this is hardly the point of my post today. Today's point is this - I did not watch the Miss USA contest at all, but I know about Carrie Prejean. I know that she answered a controversial interview question about gay marriage, and I know that she did not win. Are the two related? Lots of people seem to think so.

I do not have a problem with her answer. You guys know me. You all know my heart and my compassion for all. Carrie Prejean answered that she did not believe in gay marriage, as did the majority of Californian voters last fall, if you'll recall. In November of 2008 the California Proposition 8 was voted into effect by the general population of California, a liberal state, by a margin of 52%. This is the state from which Carrie Prejean came from. Can we blame her for holding the same viewpoint as 52% of the voters in her state? Surely not!

What I would have blamed Carrie for is if she had answered against her concience. It's ironic because I saw a blog that called her a "hypocrite". Um, hello? Last time I checked, the definition of hypocrite, according to Webster's dictionary was, "a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements." Hypocrite does not mean, "a person who holds an opinion you don't agree with". Sorry, Charlie.

I think Carrie Prejean is getting so much press and attention because of the strength she showed speaking the truth of her heart even when she knew it would be a very controversial and hotly-contested response. Even Donald Trump has said that he admired her for sharing her belief.

Once, I was in the mall with a group of friends. At some point we had scattered and a friend, M, and I were in Claire's. We were laughing at a ridiculous purse that truly was a monstrosity. Similar to the one I am currently using, actually. One of the "popular" girls came in with her gaggle of friends and eventually raved about the handbag. She, and later M, each purchased one and I lost a great deal of respect for my friend that day. If she were so easily swayed on such a trivial matter, how would she stand firm in the important things? And sure enough, she didn't finish high school, didn't finish her marriage (either one of them), didn't finish parenting, doesn't hold down a job, etc, etc. The wishy-washy is extreme.

Wishy-washy. I cannot stand someone who waivers back and forth and becomes a different person each time they are with someone new. Like the main character on Runaway Bride who had never taken the time to figure out what kind of eggs she liked. What DO you believe anyway? Are you sure? At least Carrie Prejean is.

Homeschool Group in Atoka, OK

Who would have thought that Atoka, OK would have enough homeschoolers for an actual homeschool support group. And yet, here we are. In fact, with seven families now involved, we are going to create an actual membership agreement and website, etc.

As it stands now unless a new homeschooling family happens to go to church, or run into, one of the families already meeting at the park, they would have no way of finding us. A web presence is a must! And so, of course, I am the new website designer for the Atoka homeschool group - HOPE.

HOPE stands for Homes Offering Powerful Education and I love that acronym. I think it defines our purpose better than a geographically-based group name like "Homeschoolers in Atoka County" or some such thing. *laughing*

So my children are now officially homeschooling. Evan will be 5 years old this November, and while that would be too young for Kindergarten enrollment (past the cut-off date) this fall, he is definitely ready after all the educational activities we do together.

Next week I am going to my first official homeschool curriculum book fair and the weekend after that Sidney and I are attending an actual homeschool convention! I think that makes it even more "official" than the last two park days I attended.

Why I Need a Flip Video Camera for Vlogging

I love to write about many things, you all know that. Gardening, pregnancy, children's activities, etc. I also really love music and kids songs, especially fun fingerplays and energetic tunes. These are so difficult to convey through the written word.

I need a Flip video camera (unless someone wants to suggest one better than the Flip!) so I can share the musical activities in person! What better way to communicate how to do a fun song with children, than to actually demonstrate it?

That's why someone needs to sponsor me with a Flip video camera. Too bad there isn't much money in free, kids-song video blogs. *wry grin*

Angela <><

Micah's Method of Communication

"Hello? I'm awake now and I wish someone would come and get me."
Relatively calm.

"What? Didn't you hear what I said? I didn't say 'Take my picture' -
I said, 'PICK ME UP, NOW!' "
And who says boys are not good at communicating.

Added just so you guys can see a "cute" picture too -