Random Tid Bits

This post is going to be about taking two steps forward, and two steps back. Does anyone have the Paula Abdul song stuck in your head now? Has the world actually gotten better as time moves forward?

I think about this every single time I watch Little House on the Prairie.

1. Health Care used to be more for the people. Now it's more about business. A long, long time ago you could get healthcare in return for eggs, chickens and more, doctors made house calls, and everyone was guaranteed care. Costs went up dramatically because of technology. CT scans, MRI's all cost money.
   
   Pharmaceutical companies and Health Insurance companies are much of the problem.
   
   
   
   
   I think good doctors have always cared about their patients well being. A long time ago I think people had other people's backs way more than they do now. On the flip side our life expectancy is longer than it used to be because we have the tools to prolong life. Back then if doctors had the tools they would have used them. Right now many aren't getting the care they should have. I don't have the answers. I wish I did. In your opinion is healthcare better now than it was then?


2. Let's talk about food. Our food is so good. We have more gluten, nut and dairy allergies than ever. Where are all these allergies coming from? Is it antibiotics, and growth hormones that are given to animals that in turn hurt us? Is it the pesticides that are sprayed on our crops that weaken our immune systems? I have to admit that it's handy to have pre-made snacks. There's something to be said about how REAL food shouldn't last as long as it does. Are we better off, or worse off when it comes to food today compared to the olden days? 






3. I remember the the 70s and 80s where many moms would stay home with their kids. If my mom was working; there was surely a mom down the street that was around to help watch me. Yes I'm all for women making just as much as men in the same job. The women's right movement did do one thing in a not so positive way. We've gotten to the point in our culture where both parents have to work. I think kids are way better off if one parent is home with them. It could be the dad or the mom. The trouble is, most families can afford it.
   
   In my opinion: We helped equality, and at the same time we smashed child development in the process. 


4. There's always this argument about racism: Is it better, or worse now than it was many moons ago? Keep in mind that racism isn't only about race anymore. It's really about anyone that isn't like you. While it's true that black people do not have to sit on the back of the bus and women do have the right to vote, we still have racism in the world. I think we always will. I don't think we're born with it. I think it's a learned trait. Oftentimes those that learn it from their parents, will carry it to their children.
   
   If you've never listened to Jane Elliot teach about racism look up her name on YouTube. Her talks are very eye opening.


5. Technology! I have to admit I'm guilty of being addicted. I blog, I check emails, I check social media outlets. For work I run the school's facebook page. I'm on there a lot. If I didn't have all the technology I couldn't keep up with past students, friends and family. At the same time I wouldn't have my mouth drop when it comes to those people as well. I have a different view of some people because of what they post. Maybe they do of me as well.
   
   I do have to say that I have had positive things happen through social media:
   
   Someone posted that a family wanted to get rid of special needs equipment. I told my sister. Now my sister has a new friend + used/new equipment for Emerson.
   
   I also got a ton of baby food jars for my Color and Design Theory class because someone was getting rid of them.
   
   Is social media a good thing, or not?

Mother's Day

I hope if you're a Mom that you had a great day yesterday! 

Mine started out with a heart card from Isaak that folded out to look like a flower. Isaak said, "Ok now everyone else give her gifts, and cards." He's the only one that had something. I told him, "Isaak that's ok. I don't expect anything. Thank you for your card. I love it!"

I try and make the day as low key as possible. Sometimes Father's Day gets bumped up a bit, but that's only because my birthday lands on it at times. Double whammy, double the fun. ;)

I've been wanting to try out a local place for donuts. We went to LaMar's Donuts. They exist in KC as well, so not exactly just here in Omaha. Close enough. I've heard they are super good. They were offering 1 free Red Velvet Donut with cream cheese frosting, and a coffee. I took it! Everyone picked out their choice of donut, and I got a Butterfinger Donut for us to all split.

Then we stopped by somewhere fast to get a Breakfast Burrito.

I chose to watch an episode of Little House on the Prairie. It's been a year or more since we've watched that. It's crazy how we've taken steps forward, and steps backward with our world. Medicine, scans and care have all gotten better than ever. Back in the pioneer days neighbor's had each other's backs, doctors would care for people even if patients couldn't afford it, doctor's would barter for care, they'd make house visits when needed, you didn't have to have health insurance, or worry about prices going up, they did what they had to do to survive.

Are we better - more advanced today then we were back then? My answer is in some ways we're better, and in others we're worse. What's your answer?

Isaak and Mica went with Travis to the park to practice their mad soccer skills. Mica's struggling. Travis felt like he picked up some things working with him one on one. He stays with the ball, but doesn't kick it hard. He more or less plays patty cake with the ball. That's what coach calls it. I'm just proud of him for trying. He's never asked to try any sport until this year. Way to go out of your comfort zone Mica!

I finished a painting on Mother's Day. I've had it nearly done for quite some time, but the idea sort of looked lame. I had to go a different route. I think it works. I'll try and share it tomorrow.

Then I made homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Travis said, "Are you sure you want to make those? It's Mother's Day." I said, "Certainly! Now go take care of laying the mulch down outside." ;) I made extra - for when I have surgery. I've been saying I'm going to start making extra dishes for that, but it hasn't happened until last night. Life is busy. It's not going to get any less busy, but maybe I'm holding things off to the last minute. Ekkk! Anyhow they were oh so good! I should have photographed it to share a recipe, but I was too hungry, and didn't think about it. Even the boys that usually say, "It's too spicy gobbled them up!" By the way they are both growing. Maybe that's why I can't seem to make enough food! Isaak and Mica ate 2 whole Enchiladas. We had side dishes as well.

My goofy boys and I:

What did you do for Mother's Day?   

Mica Came Clean

For a year, or more Mica's wanted to be an inventor. He wanted to make a time machine.

Source

I thought this desire to be an inventor was from watching Back to the Future. He loves those movies!

The other night Mica said to Daddy, "I can't wait to make a time machine!"

Daddy said, "Why do you want to make a time machine so bad?"

Mica said, "Because I'm in love."

Daddy said, "What?"

Mica said, "I'm in love with Laura from Little House on the Prairie. I want to go back in time to meet her!"

Daddy the literal person that he his said, "Mica you do know that is just a show, and that Melissa Gilbert is older than I am?"  Daddy showed him pictures of Melissa Gilbert now.

Mica buried his little face in his hands. He looked up and said, "I love her." 

UNO

We've been playing UNO with the kids. It's one game that we all can play, and have fun.

Mica does get irritated that Isaak has his cards so everyone can see. I have to remind him that Isaak is only 5. It drives Daddy and I nuts that Mica pays no attention to the reverses. He hardly knows when it's his turn.

Mica sometimes counts during the game, "Uno, dos, tres, cuatro..."

Isaak said, "Uno, dos, Grace."

I said, "Did you say, 'Grace'?"

Isaak said, "Ya, that's what Mica said. She's in Little House on the Prairie Mom."

In case you need the history of Little House on the Prairie, Grace is two characters. She's Mr. Edward's wife, and the Ingalls' youngest born daughter.

Little House on the Prairie

I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie. For awhile after school reruns would play as well.

I read awhile back that Lisa from Two Bears Farm was watching episodes with her boys. Then my sister Terra was watching episodes with my nephews. When I saw seasons 1 and 2 in Target, I bought it.

Mica loved Little House on the Prairie! Isaak was pretty neutral. 

Daddy walked in on us watching it, he sort of rolled his eyes at me when I hummed the theme song and snapped. I said, "Well you bought Dukes of Hazard a while back."

Daddy asked to borrow one of the Little House on the Prairie DVDs the next day to watch while he was working. Then he wanted to watch it with me last night. This morning Daddy said, "Man that episode when Pa broke his ribs, the girls went to stack the grain and all the towns men helped was heart breaking!" He noted that he got teary eyed. That was the very first episode. I teared up to. 

Just for fun here are some facts about the show:


1. Laura, and Willie were actually brother and sister in real life. Melissa Gilbert and Jonathan Gilbert are siblings. Also Sara Gilbert who played Darlene was on the TV series Roseanne is their sister in real life as well.

I was bummed to see that Melissa Gilbert got some plastic surgery. I know many actors do it. She was so pretty without it though. Willie AKA Jonathan Gilbert stopped acting after he was in Little House on the Prairie and is an accountant now.

2. Melissa Gilbert (Laura) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie) were against one another on-screen. They were actually really good friends in real life. To this day, they are close. Alison Arngrim actually wrote a book called Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated.

Nellie's curls were not real; she wore a wig. She had to have the wig fitted to her head; it was painful to wear. She loved playing the character in spite of such challenges, including a wig that made her head bleed!

3. There was a feud between Melissa Anderson, who played Mary, and Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura since early in the show's taping. The children were able to remain professional, and no viewers ever suspected a thing.

4. Karen Grassle who played "Ma" Carolina has worked on broadway after Little House on the Prairie ended.

5. Here's a few more actors from the show. Richard Bull and Katherine MacGregor who played Nels and Harriet Oleson. They are both well into their 80s.

6. Both that characters Carrie and Grace were each played by identical twins. All 4 childhood actors have abandoned their acting today.

7. Michael Landon wore many hats. He was the creator, director, and known as Pa. During the show he was known as being a trickster. He would make Melissa Gilbert "Laura" run farther than she had to. He would also make fun of the cast members when they would mess up.