~*~Life as Me~*~

Downward Changes

Woolworths is stuck in my mind. It has been part of my life since I was a child. So now its closing down I am as good as mortified!
As a kid I would go there every saturday morning with my nan and my mum, most weeks there would be a treat from there, being colouring books, clothes for my doll or a new white dress (I was only ever dressed in white for years!). I even remember my very first red timex watch being bought from there off my nan. Woolies, as its commonly known was the place to shop back in the day. Over the years they expanded to clothes, garden stuff and more. I stayed a loyal customer cos I was just familiar with them just like BHS, some shops just become part of your subconsious shopping habits. My kids have all had fancy dress costumes from there, latest fashion clothes, novelty items, stationery, dvd's, games etc and the thought of that one shop not being around anymore is almost like taking a way a trusted friend.
While I was in there on Wednesday, I stood watching all the madness around me, the sale prices were not as good as other shops but the madness was like watching vultures on a carcus. Yes I did get some bargains so I wasn't much better but my attitude was not pushing and pulling, grabbing and yanking stuff from under someone elses nose. It was really quite disturbing. Stood in the queue which started off really long it didn't take long for the staff to work through it, the number of people I heard moan about the prices was unreal, my heart went out to the poor people serving, there were people moaning that they weren't getting a big enough discount (remember it was less at the till cos of the VAT being reduced too) and there were these people about to lose their jobs, and for the most part it would be unlikely they will find work again or at least for quite a while. I mean, lets get real here. Losing a shop for sentimental reasons is one thing, but when a family is subject to a job loss it can be devestating, happy Christmas Woolies staff, thanks for the crap discounts. Yeah cos it's really their fault right?!! Duh
Reading the news last night I found that Woolies are one of a handful of big companies to go under, what chance does any other shop/business have if the biggest ones cant survive, and we haven't even gotten into the reality of the economy crisis yet. It's all looking bleak, but I am one of the lucky ones because I dont work out the home and when I do its on request so I dont rely on that income. For thousands of others though its a very different story, homes are already at risk for some people that have lost their jobs. These things always tend to happen at the greatest near Christmas eh? My heart really does go out to these people.
Over the last couple of days I have been mythered with thoughts of my own financial situation, do I have a clear back up if something goes wrong? (No) Could I at least pay essential bills and buy food if things got so bad? (No) Can I do more to help myself and my family? (Yes) Can I prepare my kids for the hardships that are looming? (Yes) and so on. So I began thinking of ways that I can improve and hold my family together without using an outside source that could run into their own issues and this is what I came up with, just a starter list and will probably need tweeking before being totally workable, but its a start for self sufficiency.

• By saving x of pounds per week/month I can ensure that next Christmas is not a washout, including presents, food, diesel, outing costs
• By saving x of pounds I can ensure that as time goes by I will always be able to cover any surplus expenses such as clothing, car repairs etc
• Some household items can be recycled in the home, these are mainly fun things and wish list items such as newspapers - get the kids making their own papier mache mountains etc for their action toys, egg boxes are good for smaller mountains or puddle areas. I'm working on a list of recyclable stuff which i'll share when later on.
• Some favourite clothing that is too small can be altered, add another fabric to the length and/or sleeves, add rhinestones, sequins etc Jeans/trousers can be cropped to make 3/4 ready for next summer
• For the none crafters, have a go at making your own cards, £5 spend on a variety of items will get you approx 30 cards.
• Remember bubble and squeak with left over food years ago? Just stick all the left overs in a pan together, heat it up and enjoy.
• Make meals out of your food, that sound obvious but my kids are a fan of cookie cut shaped ham etc as a snack, now they have cookie cut shaped sandwiches and the dog eats left overs (bread and butter is great for dogs). Soup, add croutons, broken up bread or accompany it with a garlic bread.
• Get the kids to do more sit down games that detracts from tv or even electric dependant fun. Dressing up is something that most kids get a kick out of, even if they scoff at first.
• Buy your foods in bulk. Take advantage of the special offers and stock up. Put the extra in a box somewhere and build up a food storage. I find that approx every 4 weeks I dont need to do any shopping other than fresh stuff.
• If you cook a bit extra, use foil or plastic containers for each item for a quick meal on another day. If there's enough for a full meal, why not take it to a neighbour or an elderly/single relative?
• Try your hand at making your own clothes. I knwo this sounds hard but trust me, its only as hard as you want it to be. Start small, get info off the thousands of blogs out there and give it ago.
• Do a swap party with people of the same interests to the items you no longer want or need. This is not a new idea and I done it once years ago, it as great, I just never got to go to another but i'm actually thinking of doing one myself next summer.
• For debts, get them paid off asap, you need your money!!

The list really can be endless, these are just some very basic ideas that Kirsten and I have come up with to do more for ourselves.
This is a doom and gloom posting eh? I've tried for it not be, there are far more in depth blogs otu there on this subject, I just want it to be mentioned in this blog for future reference to myself.
Other stuff I was going to talk about will be done later, right now I have to go check out the Modern Molly Mormon blog! ;)

~*~Debs~*~

Email reply to Mormon v Prop 8

I have just received an email from the author of a blog that I frequent over the pond. The gentleman asked me why I spent 43 minutes reading his blog when I am a Mormon. Interesting because 1. he is attentive to who his readers are and 2. he's obviously visited this here blog. I have been loosely following some of the American issues regarding Prop 8 with some interest and frustration but only occasionally do I comment anywhere, and when I do its a positive comment that does not portray me or the church as being what we are accused of.

In answer to the question I have decided to post a copy of my email here, just for the record as they say.

Hi XXXX
Thanks for your email, you have given me something to think about.
There are many ways I could answer your question but I figure i'll keep it short(ish!). I do not have any issues regarding gay people, I have friends and family members that are gay and I love them for who they are. However, I understand why the Presidency of the church and its members are supporting Prop 8 given that we are people of revelation and of God to the best of our abilities. I firmly believe that if any one person, gay or other minority group, sat down with President Monson or any church member that 'knows' God and has a civil two way conversation both sides will each understand the other.
I am not ashame of my faith, I will not give it up or not defend it BUT as a UK citizen I do not feel I need to stand and be counted in this issue because it is not something my country is dealing with. The American people are fighting for their rights, not worldwide.
As a daughter of God I know who I am, what I am, why I'm here, where i'm going and where I came from. I believe I have some knowledge of the Lord and His works and while I dont claim to know it all I do persist on being the best I can be. That means I pick and choose where I should get involved and where I shouldn't.
The world or the American people will not be any better or worse off if I put my opinion in so why stir up?
Knowing what I do about God and His plan of happiness I try to love everyone, even those that turn against me, as hard as it is it makes me feel like I can overcome challenges that little bit easier. If I portrayed my opinions then I would be no better than some other person persecuting someone out there, someone who is a son/daughter of God.
The fact you are gay does not stop me from reading your blog, however the hate, language and prejudiced viewpoints most definitely would.
As an Lds person, I am also a mother, I read blogs from people who are not mums and dont want to become one. Mormons believe in families, children and eternal sealings, but again, personal choice is as it is but sometimes, for me, its knowing when to turn it over to God or the people better qualified.
I hope this makes sense and explains why I will take my time reading your posts, ponder them and form my own opinions. All of which I do not put out on the www for the mere fact that I do not want to become like other people out there spreading hate. I would rather be boring and small minded than spread hate of any sort.
Have a wonderful weekend.

With all these trackers available I guess it was only a matter of time before someone contacted me, though I do appreciate that it was done politely which proves that not all gays (or other minority people with acceptance struggles) are aggressive, rude and controlling. I am grateful to this person for taking the time to ask me the questions rather than leave a nasty comment made of assumtions.

Politics? Religion? Both full of issues but both are essential to living, even those that dont believe in God are still an integral factor of religious reality.

~*~Debs~*~

I am disgusted, but I have to have my say

I got to reading some blogs about the horrific death of Jean Charles de Menezes and I have to say my blood is boiling, my heart is racing and I feel so enraged that I want to scream.

This 27 year old Brazilian man was shot dead 9 times in the head as he got on the tube in London (22 July 2005) to go to his workplace. Why? Because a photo lookalike of him (which was later said to be edited) was in the hands of the Metropolitan Police with the orders of shoot to kill. Jean Charles was a suspect for a suicide bomber. In the same 24 hour period all the stories that lead up to and shortly after his death were retracted and the truth came out. Now what?

Lies. Cover up and a total miscarriage of justice. It's sick. I don't care that he was Brazilian, that has absolutely nothing to do with it, and if it does then THAT is what's wrong with this flipping country. No, this man lived and worked legally in this country, he earned his right ten-fold to be able to walk freely without his life being under threat, he had many people who knew him saying he was a gentle person who cared about others, he was happy, easy going and looking forward to marrying and raising a family. If the Met done their research like they said they did then how the heck did they come up with this guy being a terrorist? Even my 4 year old could have figured out the truth.

The day this news broke on the tv, I sat in total shock on my sofa, my daughter who was 9 at the time sat with me and we both cried. Even as I listened to Sky news I could see that the words didn't match the images and I even wondered if they were making a big blunder with that. I'm no detective but if it was that obvious that Jean Charles was not a terrorist to me, a regular Joe public then i'll say again, what the heck was the met thinking of?

I don't condone death by any means unless its God's choice, and we all know there's so much of it in this world to last a bazillion lifetimes. I don't know why this effected me so much, but like Madeleine McCann it knocked me sideways. I don't even know these people so why does it get such a reaction from me?

Either way, the fact is a man died because the police STUFFED UP. Now they are going to get away with it. Fact. This country sucks sometimes and I am quickly losing my patriotism when such atrocities happen and our government fail to do what is right, truthful and fair.

As ideal as it sounds, I firmly believe that we are still ONE world, we are ALL God's sons and daughters and while He accepts our free agency I don't envy anyone who takes anothers life when it comes to Judgement Day. Why do we allow language, culture, colour, religion, opinions, borders and stuff alike to separate us? There are so many good, funny, happy, intelligent, honest, loving, good people in this world that often just the smallest difference shunts us off into our own little cocoon. That isn't what God intended, it's not what He wants from any of us. Love and be loved, that's what I say. Ok so I don't quite think that when i'm having a crap day but hey, we are all human after all!! :)

Seriously, I dont 'do' politics or that kind of thing, not on my blog anyway but this is stuck in my head so much after reading the site his family have put up that I cant sleep. I knew the only way I would get this frustration out is to blog it. There are some hard hearted and cold people out there, I just pray that they never have this experience in their lives, be it in their country or another, cos then YOU would be playing merry heck just as Jean Charles family are graciously doing.

Support whats right, not what we think should be right.

~*~Debs~*~

It just has to be said...eh?

I cant pass the day by without mentioning the one thing i've heard pretty much none stop lately...the American Presidential Elections! I confess to being riveted to the bbc coverage last night (CNN just didn't cut it for me) online and felt all aflutter with each moving result coming in! It was interesting to read on Twitter how tense they were, some good and some not so good. The last time I felt that interested in politics was when Tony Baire first got in as Prime Minister by a landslide. If only I knew what was to come!! I'm not into politics of sorts, I like to think I can respect whoever is in power and that they have some coverage on reality and what is essential in our country for our people, but in all honesty it most often depresses me cos its a case of keeping up with the bitchfest that goes with it, I just get so bored with that kinda thing and I end up not listening. I'd be a crap Prime Minister I tell ya, I'd be slapping out my Book of Mormon or Gordon B Hinckley's 'Standing for Something' and raise my voice to teach them manners, respect and how to be NICE while opposing someone!! Fairy world? Most likely, i've been told that a fair few times. Works for me though, I never wanted to live the totally serious and grown up life anyway, there's enough of those moments in Motherhood!! :)
Anyway, back to Barak Obama, I dont know much of his or John McCain's propositions or opinions but the way I see it, it was a case of the best fighter won on the day! Good luck America as far as i'm concerned, surely it cant be any worse for them than it has been since 9/11!
Before I get my head swiped off i'll swiftly move on now!! :)
Charley and I have just got back from a few hours out with my mate Zoe. We walked every square metre of Asda, just cos we could! We walked (and played) on the Gloucester park and part the way round town by the firework display then sat in KFC munching on crispy chicken, popcorn chicken and pepsi!! Now i'm stuffed, Charley is flat out and I'm still cussing myself for forgetting my camera. Doh! Still it was a lovely time out though, loads of kids playing with fireworks which had both Zoe and I at a total loss for words and reaching to hide Charley behind us in case anything went off in his direction. I was disappointed at the apparent shortage of bobbies on the beat though, tonight of all nights. I dread to think what accidents have or are waiting to happen.
This is a short one for me, i'm in the middle of reading and listening to an excellent talk by Julie B Beck (Relief Society General President) about the importance of me....honestly, its all about me, ok not specifically me but women as general throughtout the world especially those who are members of the church and active in their faith. Ok so its about you too, but its also about me, truly! Go check it out if you dont believe me.....

Download purpose_of_rs.pdf

This is a softer but just as effective as the talk she gave earlier in the year at the April General Conference where she talked on a very similar subject and pretty much got shot down for it. Me personally found the talk to be goal worthy knowing that I am not as good as I can be, I can always do something to be better, BUT in that I accept that there are times I fail, i'm comfortable with who I am and therefore this next talk i'm going to offer here was never a thorn to me but a much needed reminder of my great purpose in this world, one that I have now got printed off and stored in a place that I can look back on time and again, just for that boot up the booty!!! :)

Download mothers_who_know.pdf

Any mother will be able to relate to this talk, whatever religious persuasion you are, a Mother is a Mother and Mothers who know are the ones that this particular talk reaches out to.

I {heart} Julie Beck!!

More waffle tomorrow, I really wanna finish this talk tonight and the debate I started with my online friend over it, a fellow Lds mum/wife who felt she misunderstood Julie Beck's talk and wants to erase that feeling of being offended. Now THAT is a Mother that Knows!!! :)

Time to get serious

Flicking through some of my favourite blogs today it dawned on me just how shaken our American friends are by the current election and all that it means to them. I'm no politician, nor have I ever really been overly interested in politics but I do believe that we should take all the opportunities we should when we have the right to speak up, and that means voting. To say one vote wont count is total rubbish, because 1+1+1+1+1+1 etc etc it all begins to add up. I have to confess that I haven't really followed any of the election process but from what I have seen I am not convinced that either is going to bring America back from its current glum...BUT I said that about Tony Blaire too, and all things considered he didn't do too bad considering what he was up against. So I just feel the need to support my fellow beings over the pond and wish them luck, cos right now I think the whole world is going down hill in many ways.
Reading through Emilie Ahern's blog again made me smile, after she expressed her feelings on the election she talked about how she and her husband sat with their young daughters and adapted a Family Home Evening on the importance of voting. Now initially this sounds a little premature, like 10 years premature but trust me, Emilie and Matt had it sussed in their daughters language and level that just proves to me that 1. Family nights DO mean something 2. Teaching our children is OUR responsibility and 3. Even young children can understand things on their own level.
My hat goes off to Emilie and Matt for this choice. I have previously done a similar FHE with my children where we have discussed choices and how some choices come with automatic reactions and others are more thought out and controlled. Teaching our children to think outside the box is not always easy but it is always essential we take the time with them and enjoy what their take, thoughts and feelings are because afterall, they need to start from somewhere and travel the journey into adulthood where they will be expected to 'know' the answers to things that ordinarily they wouldn't have even had cross paths in their lives.
This post coincides with my new blog subject, 'Take the Moment - Before it Takes You'. This has come about because I feel I miss too many moments throughout my day, not just with my kids but especially with them and as I have a lot going on right now I wanted somewhere that I can feel commited to DO something to get moments recorded. For anyone that wants to play along come on over and share your moments with me, every comment that is left I will leave one for you so you know its a fair game share.
In the meantime, i'm off to finish my blog hopping and then maybe I will feel like catching up on here!! :)