Tis the season

The holidays are approaching. I've noticed that most people around this time, focus on what they "want" opposed to what they "have". I am one of those people. My family has been torn apart.. exactly why, hasn't been discovered. My Grandfather passed away in 1999 and my Grandmother in 2004. Since then my family hasn't been much of a family. The holidays come and my Mother and I are excluded from the festivities. So now it seems my only family includes my Mother, her best friend and her associates.
I am in a relationship at the present time, which has been great. However, it also has been trying. It seems we are so alike in some areas and "completely" different at the same time. Splitting the holidays seems to be a chore right now. He wants me to look at his family as my own, however we have only been dating for almost eleven months. He has a few siblings, one brother and two sisters. They are much older than him and his nieces and nephews are around his age. I feel I'm steering away from the point....
My point is, at this time, I want a family. I want it so bad, that I feel I'm willing to do anything to be a part of a "family". My father.... (and I use that word only because we share genetics and he did impregnate my mother)... is not around. He has been in and out of my life consistently. It has been a HUGE impact on my life concerning trust issues with men. So, of course that is also something I "want". I want and have wanted a normal relationship with my father.
Like I've said, around this time, most of us focus on what we want, and not what we have. I suppose I should talk about things I "have".
I have a boyfriend who loves me, who adores me (according to what he says). I have a mother who is there for me, even though I haven't been the most pleasant person to be around lately. I do have a car, and most don't. I do have a roof over my head and I do have people who care. It's really hard to focus on the positives when all you "feel" are negatives. I DO realize I am not in the worst situation I could be in. I realize that I am a fortunate person when it comes to having clothes, a home and transportation.
So with this said, I guess I'm thankful for the things I DO have. So happy Holidays!

Weekend Pictures

Here is a picture of my boyfriend and I. It was taken on Saturday August 2nd. Mike's best friends' Dad's retirement party. I kinda got a little tipsey and spilled my guts about Mike's Ex wife.

Mike's best friend Steve is a good guy (so far). They pretty much grew up together and all their friends called each other "The Brother's". Here is three of them (from left to right) Dan, Steve and Mike

I got to know them much better and hear opinions of Mike and I being together. I'm happy that Mike's friends think we are good for each other. It's better when your man's friends digg ya! I also got to know Steve's girlfriend better too. She is down to earth and very easy to talk to. Here is a picture of them. What a great couple.

Which Way to Turn

I'm not so sure which way to turn. I have my own thoughts, and my own perceptions. However when it comes to voting for our next president.. what is the correct answer. I did not vote for a very long time. The first time I voted was last election. I decided I didn't want to be one of those people who complained about things, but was unwilling to do something about it. I voted against President Bush.

Now we're faced with a very difficult decision. President Bush has brought havoc to our country. Worrying more about foreign affairs and oil has brought this country to shambles. Our economy is dropping, our deficit is way in the red. Other countries look at us as if we're retarded. Which I feel they should.

The way I see things is this.. We should elect a president who will get things done. Will change the things in our country that are in dire need of change. Our health care is the worst in the world. We have millions of American's without health care. Every employer should offer health care. Not only this, but I feel we need to start at home. Stop getting into other countries affairs and worry about what's going on in our own country. I received this in my email from a cousin. It's regarding immigration:

Dear Editor:

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to the United States , people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in New York and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new American households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany , Italy ,France and Japan . None of these 1st generation Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the United States of America as one people. When we liberated France, no one in those villages were looking for the French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2006 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching for a better life . I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty, it happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

I totally agree with this letter. We need a president who will actually listen to the people. We all have a voice. I feel we need to stand up and use it!

When it comes to Republican or Democratic, I believe we should get away from the Republican beliefs. They are a religious faction and get in the way of human progress because of their religious beliefs. When it comes to "stem cell research" (the biggest point of debate), they feel it's murder. Isn't it murder to let a loved one die because they believe it's a sin? Why can't the world open their eyes to see the truth of the world itself? We need to find better ways of health care, cures for diseases and just a way for a better life all together. Why let certain beliefs get in the way?

I could go on and on about religion, however I would be straying from this topic. Please America, open your eyes and see what George W. Bush has done to us. Realize that we do not need the Republic views of rich fascists making decisions for us. Let's bring back the voice of the people!

Crazy hours

I just had ONE heck of a time trying to figure out how to add my own style to this blogging thing. I don't understand why it's so hard. Maybe it's because I don't know anything about html or css. Oh well.. guess I'll stick with what I have for now

Just joined

Well, I went on the internet trying to find new places to blog. I'm not much of an internet person, I know how to navigate, but I do not know what's out there. I joined Xanga and I spoke with my boyfriend about it. He said to join blogger. So here I am.. Looking to throw my thoughts out in the vast ocean of the internet.
I'm not really sure what blogging is all about, so if there's any friendly advise out there, it is most welcome!