A Small Pet Peeve

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 5 Comments

I have to admit that there are quite a few things in this world that bother me.  I try to just let them go and not clog the Internet with those things often.  So, let me just apologize now for doing it.  But, its been stuck ruminating in my mind since yesterday. 

We took Noah to see Playhouse Disney Live.  It was a good show and Noah really enjoyed it.  There was one scene with the Little Einsteins where they were talking about their trip around the world to find music and of all the places they went and the music they loved.  They mentioned–India, China, Russia, Spain, and AFRICA.  I know this might seem petty to some, but I was irritated that Africa was mentioned as though it’s a country as opposed to a continent made up of over 60 independent countries. 

It just irritates me and it happens so often.  I know that it is really hard to change the perception we have all had and to change the ignorance of those who really don’t know much or understand much about Africa and it’s nations.

There Is Still Hope

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

I saw a great piece last night about someone working hard to help the homeless.  He created a portable home to give to those who live on the streets in Los Angeles.  For those of you who have never spent a lot of time in Los Angeles or Southern California for that matter, there are a great deal of homeless.  In LA county alone the number is quickly inching towards 100,000.  There are only approximately 21,000 beds in homeless shelters where folks are more likely to end up sleeping on the ground than in a bed.  This transcends the need to debate why they are homeless or how they got there and whose fault it is.  That debate certainly helps no one. 

There is a great organization EDAR.  They make these portable tents that double as a bed and a roof for all of their possessions.  This program means a lot to our family.  Hubby’s step brother lives on the streets of LA.  He is there by choice and has called skid row home for a long time and is perfectly happy with the life he has chosen.  I have never met his step brother, but I have the feeling that this isn’t a program he would much be interested in, but there are those who are not homeless by choice who deserve a bed and a roof over their head. 

Homelessness is a vicious cycle.  It’s hard to get a job when you are homeless but without a job you can’t get off the streets, etc.  I am hopeful that there are people who are working towards making life a little better for those who are down on their luck.  Would it be better if we could get them all jobs, etc.  Sure, but I think we as a society have to be pragmatic and understand the limits to what we can do. 

But because there are limits doesn’t mean we stop trying to make the world better.

We Did Our Best To Stimulate The Economy

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 2 Comments

this weekend.  We had a weekend spending spree to rival all middle class spending sprees.  It was great. 

The weekend started early on Friday when we dropped the kids at the grandparents house at 5pm.  I was pleasantly pleased to find out that the kiddos would be spedning the night.  This was the first time that both kids had stayed at my dad and bonus mom’s house.  It has been just over 7 months since Zoë came home and since we had a night to ourselves completly.  It was the best Valentine’s day present ever. 

We don’t celebrate Valentine’s day per se.  We celebrate the 13th and I am happy to say that 10 years ago on the 13th of February my wonderful husband presented me with a beautiful dark sapphire and diamond ring and asked me to be his wife.  It was great and wonderful.  This year on the 13th, I was presented with beautiful sapphire encrusted hoop earrings.  We had a great dinner at one of our favorite restaurants–it’s a chain sad to say but still completely awesome. 

We slept in on Saturday–until nearly 9am.  I know crazy.  We then went to breakfast and shopping for a new bedroom set.  We found a great deal on a 3-piece bedroom set and also purchased 2 night stands and an additional dresser.  Then we went to the new Casino in town and ate lunch at the Burger Bar–where I had the best burger that I have had in a very long time–since I worked here in the 90’s. 

The spending did not stop there.  We had to buy new bed linens to match the first bedroom set either of us have ever owned.  We bought new curtains and we finished painting our bathroom.  It looks great.  I’ll have to post before and after pictures when we are completly finished.

Feeling Random

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

Thanks for all the support about my last post.  Things are much better on the marriage front.  I think we were both just stressed, etc.  He’s been a real prince the last few days and has made some covert plans for this weekend.  I know nothing about them–other than the awesome sapphire earrings I picked out.  Love is good again. 

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I am so tired of hearing criticism of President Obama’s stimulus plan, from the party–that would be the GOP–who got us into this mess that we are in.  I find it ironic that the GOP feels as though they have the economy all figured out.  Reagan led us into a recession with his whole “trickle-down economics” and Bush the first kept that going.  Then after 8 years of Clinton–a spend $$$ Democrat, we had a surplus.  Back to Bush the second for 8 years and our defict is insane and much of that has been spent on the war–don’t even get me started on that.  I just don’t understand their hubris in thinking that they really understand how to make the economy work.  If your a GOP, let me know why the hell you think you know the answers.

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I am so tired of this Suleman lady and her insanity.  I am troubled by this woman and these events on so many levels.  I don’t understand why her parents are enabling this to happen by caring for all these children while the mother doesn’t even work.  I know parents want to help their children, but this is pure insanity.  I want the doctor who implanted those embryos to lose his license.  I think Ms. Suleman needs to be seeing a psychologist instead of becoming one.  There are so many issues and layers to this it just infuriates me.  Maybe I am more irritated because of my own fertility issues and really this woman gets to have 14 kids.  I am certain on some level that the state of California will become involved with here, if they aren’t already.  I also believe there is probably a real possibility that she will lose some of these children if she cannot care of them.  Maybe, she didn’t think about this when she decided to become the poster child for and IVF ethics review.  I feel for these children.  What kind of life are they going to have? 

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Today, I am not a fan of nearly 3-year-olds.  But 15-month-old are just fine.

Spousal Irritation

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 4 Comments

I just want to start out by saying that I do indeed love my husband.  But he has been irritating the piss out of me lately.  Our relationship has always been pretty easy.  We don’t argue or fight much–aside from this past 3 weeks and generally enjoy each other’s company.  But lately, our marriage has sucked ass.  I just don’t know what the hell is going on.  He is fine one day and a bit of a jerk the next.  One day when he’s pissy, he gets mad because I don’t try and talk to him about it.  Then he’s pissy again and so I try to learn from my mistakes and talk to him and I get the whole, “you know I get upset about ______, can’t you understand I just want to be alone.” 

Fuck.

Really.  I am damned if I do and damed if I don’t.  Things are just crappy.  I am busy with school, the kids, teaching and running the house and he’s busy with work, and…well just work.  I know that my endeavors don’t bring much money into the family, but I don’t remember the last time he showed much concern for me and how I am feeling, but he’s a little upset or stressed and the fricking world has to stop and revolve around him?  I am so pissed and irritated. 

It will all be fine, he’s got big plans for me this weekend–not that he really seems like he wants to spend that much time with me.  UGH!