That's Just the Way it Was

Do you ever hear the phrase "That's just the way it was" and want to respond yeah, but it doesn't make it right?

As a student of history, I firmly comprehend that the way things were was not always perceived as bad. That what we would find as totally abhorrent behavior was pretty much considered the norm. I can even accept that it was and how we as a culture benefited from it. When one is generations removed, the cold clinical acceptance is easy.

But when something happened in your lifetime, when something happened was just the way it was... back when you can remember it seems to change all the dynamics. At least it does for me. I recently read an article about  Darrell Brown an amazing man who managed to live with dignity and grace and remain true his convictions in the worst of circumstances.

Darrell Brown was the first African-American man who attempted to play for the Univ of Arkansas. This story sent me into tears.. rolling down my face. I am fortunate that I was raised by a woman who never recognized racism.. I never understood it and can honestly say that it has never played a part in the choices or friends I have had in my life.

I can say this as a white woman who has never had to face racism in any way shape or form. I can say and mean that the color of your skin means nothing to me. BUT.. I also understand that I was never blocked from something because of the color of my skin, never refused admittance, never watched my parents denigrated or insulted.. never saw my parents defeated, never watched my brothers refused or turned away.. So yes, while I can honestly say I am color blind I do understand that there are those who aren't. That almost can't be.. That is why this article affected me so very much. Darrell Brown rose above so much and became an amazing man.. Someone I would love to meet. Someone I would wish my children could emulate.

I watched the Univ of AR/Auburn game hoping against hope that ESPN would show this amazing half time acknowledgement.. They didn't. Shame on you ESPN!!

The Joys of Nieces

I have two of the most amazing nieces! Complete and total sources of pride. They are a constant joy to me and always make me smile!

Due to the insanity of my life I have not always been able to be the fantastic, always there ready with a present Aunt. Nope, for the most part I am a voice on the phone or an email.

Thanks to email, I have been able to connect with my older niece (from now on referred to as Daisy)as she is almost 10 and has her own account now. We usually just send little one line communications but they certainly brighten my day.

Recently in one of our emails, Daisy informed me that both she and her sister (now to be referred to as Rose) both have American Girl Dolls. Now when my girls were younger their dolls had immense wardrobes mostly due to my sewing abilities.. I often made clothes for their friends and sold some of my fancier pieces. For a while it was all the rage for the my daughter's friend's dolls to have velvet capes.. all made and designed by me. So.. while talking with Daisy, I offered to make both Daisy and Rose's dolls a cape. I just needed to know what colors they wanted.

According to my sister, their conversation went something like this..

Daisy, "Rose, Auntie Shauni is going to make our dolls capes, we just need to tell her what color. I am going to have blue and silver. What color do you want?"

Rose, "Are you sure Auntie Shauni can make these?"

Daisy, "Of course she can. She made them for Word Girl and Blond Girl and all their friends!"

Rose, "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm"

My sister was quite offended for me. Insulted that Rose dared to question my sewing abilities.. Honestly.. It just made me giggle.. Gotta love a girl who has the sense to question when something seems too good to be true!!

The Death of Steve Jobs

It is amazing what one man can do. In an age that still held some innocence Steve Jobs called the president of HP and asked for some spare parts.. and a dynasty was born! Yes that is an extreme summation of this incredible story but when you cut out all the fat there you have it.

Steve Jobs had a wonderfully creative brain, a fluid mind and was willing to think in not outside the box.. but rather he re created the box. What would our lives be without his input? Would Microsoft have happened? Would we still be using some interesting form of lotus? Oh my wouldn't that be fun?

I remember when my parents got their first home computer, yes the apple II, oh my what a monstrosity that was. But it was a huge improvement on the computer my friend had in her basement.. Yes she had this COMPUTER.. that's right floor to ceiling across the entire wall and they only had that because her dad was in the business.. No way would she have even considered using it. Suddenly, computers were in the home.. That first time we dialed into the library of congress via modem.. or chatted with a friend.. yes we actually chatted via modem the first time we played on that computer.. Of course it was soon outdated and newer and better models were made but without that first step..

Remember when you first heard the word mp3 player? Did you have a clue what it was? Not really, it wasn't until you discovered iPod that suddenly wow!! this was such a cool thing. Was iPod the first mp3 player? I really don't know.. I am not sure if it was even the best... but it was the easiest and in the end, easy trumps everything..

iPhone anyone? oh how about a nice iPad? Do you realize that India is working on a 35.00 tablet to offer to people in the poverty level.. so that they might have contact with the web... would that have happened without the iPad? and would the iPad had happened without Steve Jobs?

Maybe it would have.. who knows? But how many people have the guts to call a CEO of a major corporation and ask for spare parts? Better yet, how many of today's CEO's would even take the call, let alone send out the parts?

RIP Steve, you made a difference.. would that we all could say the same

It's Football Season!!

It's my favorite time of the year!! I love football!! While I am not crazy about Pro Ball.. I love watching college ball. There is just something so cool about these young men playing the game because they love it! At this point it is about talent, skill and love of the game! Oh sure some are already jaded and feel entitled but there are so many more who just play...

I can easily spend an entire Saturday watching games and my Saturday night isn't complete without watching College Football Final on ESPN.. I am so bad I have 6 teams I watch on yahoo.. so they can just pop those scores up!!

This year, I am following USC (DUH), Oregon, Stanford, Wyoming, Boise State and Northern Illinois. I would follow Western Illinois as well but it plays football in 2A so yahoo doesn't offer it.. But that's ok, it's still fun.. A good day is when most of the teams win.. a GREAT day is when all of them do.. Of course it is hard since WY and Boise State play in the same division (fyi, I love Boise state but Blond Girl is thinking about going to WY so I have to cheer for them) and of course the USC, Oregon and Stanford are all in the PAC 12..

I also love the rare games that actually show the marching bands.. I remember when I was a kid and USC and Ohio State were in the Rose Bowl and my Dad.. THE HUGE SPORTS FAN... was just as excited about the bands. He said these were two of the best Marching Bands in the country and the half time show should be spectacular! What a great thing.. I was taught early on the importance of the players not on the football team. I am sure, he would have acknowledged the cheerleaders as well if they had evolved to the same level they have today. I guess I was lucky, I was raised by a man who honestly had a love of the game..

Amanda Knox

Why is it the plight of this girl has so captured the world? Why is it, I find myself overjoyed for her family and yet still oddly worried that she may have gotten away with murder, literally?

I am oddly confused.. as a mother I have to think her parents have to be on their knees, eternally grateful to bring their baby home. To know that their child is safe and home. I don't know that I would ever allow her out of my site again..

As an American, I was happy to see the Italian Court work to right the wrongs that had occurred. Oh not the wrongs of who did what but rather the total and irrevocable lack of due process and a fair trial.

As a tv watcher, well I am all astounded that DNA isn't the miracle cure.. you know the answer to every crime.. available imediately upon request. No lengthy waits...

And yet, I look at this mess and cry for the victim.. Meredith Kercher lays ignored.. her senseless death never  avenged.. Alone in a cold grave.. her parents needing to know.. deserving to know. Her brother, her family all oddly dysfunctional.. waiting and hoping.. an eternal turn on the nightmare merry go round... I hope Meredith is remembered. I hope her family is remembered..I hope justice prevails and this family can allow their child to rest.

Then and only then will I be satisfied.. Amanda Knox got a reprieve because people made mistakes.. Let's hope those mistakes lead to the right end..

Day Two

Wow!! I find it amazing that I am back here, two complete days in a row.. It seems like only yesterday I was worrying if I would ever again have anything to say.. I know, run out of things to say? Highly unlikely, though it does happen.

I filled my day yesterday with total and complete, eye glazing insanity!! I started a new blog.. Yes that's right!! I was worried about not having enough to say so I started a new blog. This one is near and dear to my heart..

As many of you may know.. I enjoy Romance, PNR and Fantasy books. I have spent most of my life hiding this fact because well... everyone I know claims to not read them. Amazing isn't it? This is one of the largest genres out there and I don't know ANYONE who actually reads it? Yeah, right... Methinks, most of my friends and/or acquaintances do what I did.. buy there books then sneak off to read them like a guilty pleasure.. hidden and in silence..

Well NO MORE!! Recently, I have been hanging out on Christine Feehan's website.. she has a great forum where we are all allowed our own pages and circle of friends, much like FaceBook but for CF fans.. While there, I discovered a group of ladies who love to read the same books I do.. and we love to discuss them! Debate them! Sink our teeth into the fun of them!! A few of us decided that discussing on her site alone is not quite enough so we joined together and formed Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy. Feel free to pop on over and check us out..

Beginning Over

It has been so long since I posted a blog, I am going to once again consider this beginning over. There is so much to say and so little time spent on saying it. I am not sure of the direction of this particular blog.. I am thinking to keep it at my rambling best.. just a catchall of things I think and feel..d

I have already committed to writing my Juggling Teens blog on a regular basis and plan on getting back to my Shauni's Dreams that come.. Along with that I think I am going to work on a blog about my faith.. A day to day journal on my walk with Jesus.. I am not good at that.. I tend to hide my light.. keep it a a low flame hidden with in the recess of my self.. I think it is time to light the bonfire and let my light SHINE!!

I also have one more blog I am considering.. this one will be a step towards insanity.. I am going to start a blog strictly for reviewing and discussing the books I love.. I have some friends who are going to work with me and get this show on the road.. Initially, we will be working with blogspot because it just makes sense to use it to get it on it's feet.. but eventually... well again.. we shall see..

My life has never lacked ideas.. but focus and direction. I am hoping that with some prayer (ok, lots and lots of prayer) God will provide both the focus and the direction.

Oh yeah.. I am gonna be playing with the new website stuff but am not sure what I am doing so bare with me for a bit...