Thank You, Madonna!!!!

After I finished watching Madonna introduce Avicii in Miami at the UMF last Saturday on the Live Feeds on YouTube, I expressed my disappointment to my son and daughter that neither of them would come in and watch with me. That is when Jimmy informed me that he just doesn't care much for girl singers. Unfortunately, he gets his taste in most music from his father... what I tend to call bust a move, rappin' music that no boy as white as either one of them should be allowed to listen to. He does, however, like quite a few 80s artists, so I let him slip by with a warning. lol Abby said that she believed Madonna just wasn't cool and was just old. So I asked her if she liked Brittney Spears. I already knew the answer... "No." Why? Because she got married and had two kids. She is now "old." lol So, I asked her if she like Katy Perry. Yep. Lady Gaga? Yep. Pink? Yep. Ellen Degeneres? Yep. Well, that was after she pointed out that Ellen doesn't sing - she dances. lol  I told her to just go with me. I had a point. Compliments of the "shit head/smart ass" gene that is passed down from generation to generation she stated that I ALWAYS (eye roll from said child at that point) had a point and could I please get to it? Goddess, I do love her!! Anyways, I asked her to take away the age factor, and consider the people themselves. She then made a MAJOR mistake... She said, "Madonna tries to hard to be like Lady Gaga." Yes, my daughter had the cajonies (spelled correctly - I looked it up!) to actual say that MADONNA was trying to be like LADY GAGA!! WTH?! I then told her that it was time for her to take a step back and listen to what I had to peep into her luscious lobes. I then explained the greatness that IS Madonna. That SHE is a woman who has been inspiring women since the 80s pushing boundaries, hoping to break any mold that any man ever considered to try to push a woman into... so that we can all be who we are... deep inside. Her response was "Mom," with that snotty I'm the smart one tone, "Born This Way... Lady Gaga wrote that." I then pointed out that when Madonna's first LP/Cassette was released that Lady Gaga, aka Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, wasn't even BORN yet... That the fact that Madonna had already started pushing boundaries and changing attitudes and blah, blah, blah was the reason that "Lady Gaga" could even be "Born That Way!" Then we all started laughing!! I, myself, am hoping that she will open herself up to the idea enough that I can give her a proper education in the greatness that is 80's Music. I played ONE song for Jimmy and he attacked my laptop and started listening and then copying all the songs I had on my laptop onto his MP3 player! What was the song? A power ballad maybe? An example of rock as only those great 80's hair bands could create? Nope. I went with "Walk the Dinosaur" by Was Not Was!! It was a no-brainer. My little genius was saying dinosaur names before he was 2 and completely potty trained. Also, it is a great song that is great for dancing. He didn't stand a chance!!! xD Abby is not a lost cause though. One of her friends in Brookfield got her listening to country. That was HUGE!!! Her dad had her ruined for it for years!! Now, she LOVES it! I'll get her hooked on the 80's too!!! Just watch and see!! *winkies*

Since my early adolescence, Madonna has been there for me... on the radio, on my LPs, Cassettes, CDs, and now Digitally on my Computers, in my MP3 player, on my cellphone... Whenever I have needed her, she was there... Always a song that spoke to my soul and soothed, inspired, excited, lifted my spirits... She has walked with me through the years... as a young woman - growing and maturing and evolving, as a singer - artists of the internal heartbeat that is music that every creature possesses within... that links us all... as one with Mother Earth... as new mothers experiencing that one love that is incomparable to any other love... that bond to another that changes us for all time yet again... as lovers only to be betrayed... as survivors, picking ourselves up and moving on, stronger for the pain that shapes us yet again... I am who I am because music has always been there for me. When my daddy died 9 days before my 13th birthday. When I "became" a woman. When I began to learn the spirit dance - instinctive, gentle, primal, fierce... between a man and woman. When I realized I was pregnant at 16 - alone, terrified, and then devastated when I lost it... and still told no one. When I broke out of my small town shell and found a sexy, smart, clever, talented woman beneath. When I celebrated being young, on my own, making my way and going to school. When I found one of the loves of my life and was gifted my baby girl. When I found another one of my soul mates, married him, and was gifted my wonderful son. When I realized that I was a circle peg being shoved into a square hole, When I realized that I would never be accepted as I truly was to be and was a wild, crazy, twisted, angry, sexy she-wolf surrounded by sheep armed with barbed tongues and weapons of vile, verbal destruction. When I started getting physically ill and found myself once again facing the cruelties of live on my own. When I realized that I was strong enough to face life in all its vagaries with my head held high with strength that I pulled from places I never even considered it could be hiding. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am greatful that I was fortunate enough to have a role model to take strength from to face whatever came my way and do it with style if not bravado to cover the weakness. I owe much to Madonna. I am who I am because of her influence as a strong, individual, unique woman who never took anything sitting down, but rather screaming back!! I suppose all that is left to say is... Thank You, Madonna!!!

Ronald McDonald House

I found a blog called Rantings of a Mom while searching for charities using my Swagbucks search engine. I not only received 11 SBs (SwagBucks), but I also found a new way to Give Back/Pay Forward for all the kindness that I have been shown over the last several years when my life has been growing more and more difficult. Giving Back/Paying Forward gives me a reason to get out of bed every day, and I am hoping that soon it will help me to get out of the house. Baby Steps... I'm sure that many of you know exactly what I mean... *shy smile*

Here are the items that were listed that the RMH needs always...

Pinto beans – dried
Canned: refried beans, pinto
Canned: Corn, carrots, peas, mixed vegetables
Canned: tomatoes, sauces
Canned: ravioli, spaghetti, chili, stew
Canned meats (chicken, pork, tuna)
Flour
Sugar
Shortening
Juice boxes
Milk boxes
Vanilla
Brown sugar
Chocolate chips
Nuts
Pasta, packages
Cooking oil
Creamora
Salt and pepper packets
Pepper, Spices of all kinds
Corn tortillas
Paper plates, cups, towels
Plastic spoons and forks
Soups, especially chunky or hearty
Cereal
Oatmeal
Microwave popcorn
Candy, individually wrapped
Snacks, individually wrapped
Laundry soap – powdered
Dryer sheets (softener)
Dish soap / Dishwasher soap
Ziplock bags: Sandwich, quart and gallon

Depression and Suicide...

These are not topics that ANYONE wants to talk about, but to not do so when it is necessary is DANGEROUS!! I know first hand. I had signs and symptoms both times that I attempted as an adult, more so the second time. Instead of confronting me, certain family members talked and bitched about me behind my back when they thought I couldn't hear... I could... and that made it all the worse... They admitted AFTER my attempt to saying that I needed to be in a "loony bin" but did nothing about it. Here is some advice... If a loved one has any of the signs or symptoms, DO SOMETHING!!! SPEAK FOR THEM WHEN THEY CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!!!! I was very lucky both times I attempted and was found before it was too late. There is no shame in being Mentally Ill... It is NOT a choice!! There IS shame in not taking advantage when help is offered and you are mentally able! There IS shame in doing nothing for a loved one that is at that point! Don't make that mistake... or you will regret it for the rest of your life!!!! Below is a list of signs and symptoms to look for...

• Increased Isolation – From family and friends
• Alcohol or Drug Use Increases
• Expression of negative attitude toward self

• Expression of hopelessness or helplessness
• Change in Regular Behavior
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Giving away valued possessions
• Expression of a lack of future orientation (i.e. "It won't matter soon anyway")
• Expressing Suicidal Feelings
• Signs of Depression
• Describes a Specific Plan for Suicide
• History of Suicide in the Family
• A person who has been extremely depressed in the past may be at an increased risk for suicide if the depression begins to cease, as they may now have the psychological energy to follow through on a suicidal ideation.

If you or someone you care about displays any of these warning signs, please do not hesitate to call the hotline!! 1-800-273-8255... It could just save a life!!!!