Just because you can . . .

Doesn’t mean that you should eat all you can at any buffet! Recently on vacation, because it was cheaper to buy the all-you-can-eat buffet meal combo pass for admission at a theme park, we did. I am not a buffet person. It seems like you eat more than you need to just so you can get your “money’s worth” and then have to watch others do the same. Not my idea of a good night out. As I was enjoying my plate of potato salad and baked beans, at the table next to me was a large gentle man consuming more than his fare share worth of food. One plate contained at least ten servings of fried chicken and beef brisket. When that plate was finished, he asked his daughter to get him some chocolate chip cookies, and then needed her to fill his glass with Mountain Dew in order to take his “pills”. Didn’t ask but I assumed they were probably to help control his high blood pressure and cholesterol and possibly diabetes. So why do we consume the very foods that are causing the problem, and then absentmindedly pop a pill to counteract the effects? I say skip the pill and order a salad!

Just because you can ask certain questions doesn’t mean that you should. We all know that asking someone’s weight, age, or annual income is impolite, but other questions should be taboo as well. Just this morning, I finished watching the Primetime Special featuring Jaycee Dugard. I initially was not going to Tivo this because I felt it was exploitation, but after seeing Diane Sawyer comment on an interview that Jaycee was the most remarkable woman she had ever interviewed, I wanted to understand not only how she survived the horrible 18 years, but how she wasn’t bitter. Her outlook is incredible. I am sure everyone wants to know, and so Diane felt inclined to ask, but really if she felt she had the tools to escape, she would have. I have seen other victims asked the same question. “Why didn’t you escape?” As if they needed to accept some responsibility for their captivity. That question always infuriates me. Survivors of sexual abuse should never be asked “Why didn’t you tell?” or “Did you say no?” or any other ridiculous question that implies they are partly accountable for their perpetrators actions. Maybe when we quit asking these questions, we will empower each victim with the knowledge that the shame belongs solely on the abuser, and they won’t need to ask themselves, “What if . . .?” because everyone will understand there were no other options at the time.

Calling for Ben Matlock

As I heard the verdict on the Casey Anthony trial, I immediately thought how great it would have been for Ben Matlock to have been the defense attorney. When he solved a case, it didn’t make you wonder if the wrong guy was acquitted. Every show of this series was based on a murder and an obvious suspect. Matlock’s client was always proven innocent by him solving the crime and identifying the actual murderer. I guess Ms. Anthony’s attorneys actually tried this approach by accusing her father. It helped to get her off, but I don’t think she thought through the ramifications of that defense. Not only does it seem that her family relationships will be forever strained, but the country finds her even more despicable.

One of the most disturbing facts that I have heard since the verdict is that 200 children die each year at the hands of a parent. It made me wonder with all of the attention on Caylee Anthony why we haven’t heard more about the other 199 children killed that year. I am always saddened to hear news about the very person who should protect and defend a child at all costs is the one who has done them the greatest harm.

Just go ride a bike

The title of this post might lead you to believe that you will read something incredibly cool about fitness or how to single handedly stop global warning, but it is about a more serious problem plaguing our society. I know you can’t believe there could be anything more dangerous than our planet burning up.

“Just go ride a bike!” was the advice my daughter would yell to Jackie Evancho, the ten year-old opera singer who was competing on America’s Got Talent last year. Ten year-olds should be enjoying riding bikes, playing dolls, and cooking in their Easy Bake Ovens and not experiencing the pressures of Hollywood, agents, critics, and parents living their dreams through their children. Parents can plead all they want that it is really what their child wants to do. Well, my children have wanted to drive a car at eight, have a boyfriend at twelve, and move away from home at fifteen, but as a parent it is my responsibility to allow them to do certain things when they possess the skills and maturity to handle each situation.

Any responsible parent watching Lindsey Lohan or Miley Cyrus self-destruct would find it a deterrent and would keep their child as far away from Hollywood as possible. But, we have parents lining up just waiting for their child’s big break. We have parents proudly injecting Botox in their eight year-old daughter’s face. There wouldn’t be padded bikini swim suits and thigh-toning Sketcher’s shape-ups if parents weren’t buying these things for their little nine year-olds. Toddlers and Tiaras exists because parents don’t realize that when their child says they want to play dress-up, it means prancing around the house in mom’s shoes, jewelry, and make-up.

Whether it is a publicity stunt or not, news has circulated about a 16 year-old aspiring singer marrying her 51 year-old actor boyfriend, and the parents couldn’t be any happier. Really? And, the mother is eager to inform us that her daughter was a virgin before this blissful event.

Childhood passes by too quickly all on its own. As parents, we should do our best to preserve the innocence of our children. Let children be children because the pressures of adulthood will find them soon enough. And why not ride a bike with your child today.

Stranger than Fiction

This whole Weiner-gate gets stranger every day. First of all, if the Artist formerly known as Prince can change his name to a symbol, Mister Weiner could at the very least change the pronunciation of his name. Maybe his wife will have enough sense to give the baby her last name.

I saw the two remaining women on Christina Aguilera’s team on The Voice. It made me wonder if she didn’t want anyone on her team with prettier hair than her bleach-blonde locks.

Did you see the Nightline about face recognition technology on facebook? It was just a little scary. My facebook activity is on the minimal side. I have never actually tagged anyone in a picture. Apparently, if I upload a picture, facebook can determine who else from the facebook community is in the picture without me even telling them. It sounded like a strange concept from a science fiction novel. The scary part is it is real.

Just do it!

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."    Eleanor Roosevelt

Over a fifteen year period of my life, I was a dutiful mother and enrolled my children in swimming lessons. As I watched them swim, out of the corner of my eye I would be secretly envying the parents who were lap swimming during their child’s lesson. I wasn’t afraid of water, in fact, I loved hanging out at the pool, but I couldn’t go under the water without plugging my nose. I would use my glasses as an excuse to not to have to dunk my head. As I began doing running races, I thought how great it would be to do a triathlon. Two years ago, I finally decided I would allow myself a little embarrassment and enrolled in an adult swimming class. Let me just say that swimming is really hard. I now love to swim, and I am mad that I didn’t do this earlier in life. After reaching a certain age, we often think that it is too late to learn a new skill or habit. The saddest part is how often our insecurities or embarrassment hold us back from achieving. I can now proudly check triathlon off my bucket list. I came in 422 out of over 900 participants, but it really wouldn’t have mattered if I came in dead last, because for me it wasn’t about competing but finishing.

The stand-off

Don’t know if this kind of thing happens at anyone else’s home, but I expect it probably does. Sunday night, my son went into the bathroom he normally uses and brushed his teeth. Afterwards, he walked to another bathroom and blew his nose. Being a little confused, I asked him if by chance “his” bathroom was out of toilet paper. Expecting a yes, I had my “don’t be so lazy” lecture prepared and ready. Apparently the bathroom is not out of toilet paper, but my son is simply trying to teach his dad a lesson. It seems that last time my son didn’t replace the toilet paper roll after using the last of it, my husband gave him a little talking to about responsibility. Because the toilet paper was out when he entered the bathroom, my son determined it must have been his dad that didn’t replace it. I am assuming my son must think highly of my skills in always remembering to change the roll. It remained unchanged for 2 days, and it is yet to be determined if anyone actually learned a lesson.

The things I know . . .

When I read the question, “What will you do without Oprah?” on the ABC News website, I knew that I would be okay. Because when she said every woman needed a white pair of jeans, I didn’t buy them. You see, I can make decisions all on my own.

I know that there had to be a motive behind the large amount of puzzle solving challenges on Survivor this season. Could it possibly have been to help Boston “Puzzle Master” Rob finally win the game?

I began reading the Bible in January, and now I know that King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Now, I am confused about why they called him wise. I also learned that when King David was stricken in years, they brought a young virgin into his bed to warm him. I wonder just exactly when the phrase “dirty old man” was invented.

I know that I could possibly be the reason that James Durbin went home last week on American Idol. Ryan warned me to vote for my favorites. Can someone tell me who is voting for Haley?

I know that when I cook with sour cream, butter, or cheese, my husband will be concerned about fat grams. I must admit that I love my fats. I also know that when I make baked ziti, it will be devoured. Fat grams and all.

Baked Ziti

1 lb ziti pasta

15 ounces ricotta cheese

4 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

6 cups (2 jars) spaghetti sauce

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Boil ziti, according to package instructions, drain, and return to pot. Add all the ricotta cheese and half the mozzarella cheese. Stir til combined. Cover the bottom of a 13X9 pan with half the sauce. Put ziti mixture on top of the sauce. Pour remaining sauce on top of ziti. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.

I know your family will love this on Meatless Monday or any day of the week.