#Twittersilence, and why I think we should be making more noise.

Yesterday on twitter, in response to an arrest in a case where someone was raped after being stalked on Twitter, someone suggested to Maureen Johnson that today be a day of silence to protest the lack of action in prosecution of all those abused on the internet.  They are also trying to write some press releases in hopes that the media notices they were being quiet today.

I was going to join in, but I have spent far too many therapy sessions working through how much it sucks not to be heard to do it. 

The problem with staying silent, is that is what the attackers, abusers, and molesters want.  Now, I know you are saying "Hope, should you really be putting internet trolls in the same class as abusers and rapists?"  Yes, and no, I suppose.  You see, lots of  people have been physically harmed by being stalked on the internet.  Others have had their home lives, personal lives, and general safety ruined by threats made outside of the internet.  Melissa Anelli is a good example of what happens when internet stalking turns real.

I also think we can take this opportunity to speak up about bullying, and abuse in general.  So often, we get beat down by our abusers, bullies, and trolls, that we see speaking up as a way of pushing them to hurt us more.  This is one thing I can say I have experienced first hand.  Rather than seeking out help by screaming until someone acts, we crawl into ourselves, and try to become as inconspicuous as possible so that, maybe, just maybe, our aggressors won't notice us that day.  By doing this, we subject ourselves to living every day in fear, never knowing when the next attack is going to happen.  

It has to stop.

I'm a mom of four awesome kids; three, strong, resilient, and beautiful daughters, and a sweet, amazingly compassionate son.  As far as I know, their experience with bullying and abuse has been very limited.  The encounters that I have heard about have been easily defused, and short lived.  

Thank goodness for that.

The problem is that, as they get older, and are more often not in my direct supervision, I know the chance that someone could abuse them becomes exponentially higher.  Now, I'm not saying people are bad. On the contrary, most of the people I have encountered in this life, are inherently good.  I honestly believe most are. The problem comes when they encounter one that isn't.  I can't delude myself into thinking that it will never happen, and I refuse to let them, or anyone else's child, be subjected to the abuse that I was, that caused me to turn into myself for so long.  

The thought of one of my children being hurt in such a way that they think they are worthless, not wanted, or generally believe things would be better if they didn't exist, like I once did, sends me into a full blown panic attack. 

Frankly, it should you, as well.  Even if you aren't a parent, the thought of ANY CHILD, ADULT, OR OTHER HUMAN BEING HARMED IN ANY WAY, should upset you.  It should make you want to take action.  It should make you want to speak up. 

Did you hear me? I said, IT SHOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO SPEAK UP!  You should feel compelled to stand in a densely populated area, and scream until someone pays attention to you.  If no one hears you, or takes action (as has also happened to me), you need to move to a different group of people, and continue screaming in the hopes that they pay attention.  You may have to scream yourself horse.  You may anger, or alienate some people who don't want to get involved, or don't believe you. KEEP SCREAMING.   

Your abusers will only stop their abuse when they are forcibly stopped.  You may get a reprieve when they become scared they will get caught, but that won't last.  Once they figure out that they can't be watched all the the time, the abuse will start again. YOU HAVE TO KEEP SCREAMING.

Even if you have only been assaulted once, via rape, beatings, muggings, or someone saying something incredibly hateful about who you are, you have to speak up.  Those words, thoughts, and actions will become your inner dialog, and you will believe that the assault was your fault. This can lead to depression, self harm, substance abuse, or even suicide.  You must understand that abuse is NEVER YOUR FAULT!!! The only person at fault if someone is being harmed, is the person doing the harmful thing.  You don't have to put up with it.  Your life doesn't have to be lived this way.  YOU CAN MAKE IT STOP.

I know today is supposed to be a day of #twittersilence, but I can't sit by and not say something.  This subject is far to important to me to sit idly by, and not speak out.  The thing is, we all need to speak out.  We all need to stand up for the ones that can't find their voice, and do something to stop the abuse, assaults, rapes, and bullying, that seems to go on far too often.  We should be tweeting (Facebooking, tumblring, google+-ing, you tubing... you get the point) links to help for those feeling suicidal.  We should be appealing to the different social media sites to make their abuse links more accessible.  We should be informing people of  the shelters in their areas that will help you out of an abusive relationship.  We need to set up anti-bullying clubs in our schools, with peer advocates, to help our children. We need to prosecute rapists, and protect the victims and their families from abuse at the hands of the aggressors. We need a comprehensive mental health system in this country that will treat the abused without stigma, so they will realize they are loved, worth it, and don't have to continue to be abused.  We need that same system to treat the potential abusers, before they start abusing.  

One of my favorite authors wrote a book about a girl who was abused, who lost her voice.  Speak was a good example of what happens when no one does the right thing, and how standing up for yourself, while hard, has to be done, even if no one listens.  

So, I'm saying no to #twittersilence.  Instead, I want to stand up for the abused, the bullied, the tormented, the beaten, and the hopeless.   I want to scream from the rooftops the importance of speaking out.  I want to draw attention to the abuse, and the abusers, and get something done.  I want it to stop.  I want the different and misunderstood to be safe.  I want the children to retain their innocence.  I want timid and meek to become strong.  I want SPEAK UP.

If you are being abused, bullied, staked, beaten, threatened, or just plain don't feel safe, there are resources, and people who care. Please, please, don't give up.  Talk to someone.  Talk to everyone.  Speak up, and speak out.  If no one listens, find someone who will.  You don't have to live this way.  You are loved.  You are important.  You are worth so much more.

National suicide hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK

Born this way foundation: http://bornthiswayfoundation.org/help

Trevor project: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Prevent child abuse: http://www.preventchildabuse.org/index.php

Bullying prevention: http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Rape, abuse, and incest national network: http://www.rainn.org/get-help/help-a-loved-one

Dating abuse information: http://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/teens-and-dating-abuse/

Domestic violence help for men and women: http://www.dahmw.org/

Gay and lesbian help: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

There are probably many more places to get help, but those are the once I could find right away.  Please, please, STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT.  Get help.  Don't sit in silence. 

NaNoWriMo, and Insanity

Hi everyone! Tomorrow is November 1st, (insert where had time gone statement here) and I wanted to give you a heads up on what you will be seeing from me.

I'm participating in an event known as NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, for the third time. The first time was a failure, but last year I was successful! I managed to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days without going inane, and I self published it in June. It was awesome.

This year I'll be working in a sequel to last year's book. I have no idea what it's called yet, but I'm so excited to get this story down on paper.  Also, keep watching this space for updates concerning my first book, Iron Labyrenth.  Soon there will be lots of new ways you can buy it if you are interested.

With that in mind, there will be a lot of me talking about word counts, procrastination, character development, and general insanity. Do not be alarmed. I am not going crazy. If I describe someone fictional character in terms if being real, I'm just trying to work out their story. There will be a lot if that. This also goes for unanswered phone calls, text messages, and emails; I'm not ignoring you, just trying to hit my daily word count.

There you have it! This is my next month in a nut shell. If you want more information on NaNoWriMo, please visit their web site at NaNoWriMo.org. It's a wonderful program if you have never tried it. Who knows, maybe there is a novel inside you!

My thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey, and What I think you should read instead…or also.

Disclaimer: Not for anyone under 18.  Please.  You have been warned.  We are all adults here.

***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOLIER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***SPOILER ALERT***

I was watching TV today (which is my first mistake), and I saw probably the fifteenth different segment talking about how Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James was changing the sex lives of women and their husbands.  I suppose this isn’t too unusual, considering how much publicity this book (and subsequent sequels) is getting.  My head exploded when I realized they were talking about it on Dr. Oz. That’s right; Dr. Oz has read Fifty Shades of Grey. 

I have read this book, and the sequels.  They are very sexually explicit, and erotic.  I will not deny either of those points.  I can see how they can be used to spice up sex lives.  The idea of exploring your sexual limits and playing out the roles of a submissive and a dominant can be very exciting.  I have no problem at all with any of that.  I think two consenting adults should be able to dabble in any and all things sex without fear of repercussion.

My problem is with the way Ana and Christian related to each other outside of the bedroom.  I am fearful that woman will read this and think Christian controlling EVERY DETAIL AND ASPECT of Ana’s life is OK.  It’s not.  I know this book is modeled after Twilight, and I had the same problem with that book too.

I can hear you all rolling your eyes at me.  You are all screaming, “Well, if you are so smart, what should we read instead?”  I have an answer. 

I wrestled with comparing these two series before I starting writing this.  The books I am going to talk about could be considered very controversial in their own right.  I don’t want to damage the good name of the writer that I adore by making this comparison, but as I was reading Fifty Shades, these were the stories I kept coming back to.  They are very sexy books that explore many of the different aspects of sexual pleasure while telling a fantastic story about some very strong characters.

I am talking about the Kushiel’s Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey.  These nine books, (Yes, nine.  Three trilogies actually.) are some of the best I have read.  They cover a lot of sexual fantasy type things that may be lingering in the backs of mommy’s minds everywhere. The difference between these books and the Fifty Shades series is the characters.  The men and women in these books are in control of their own lives.  Very in control.  The choose what to wear, who they are with, where they go, how they travel, what they eat, the friends they see, EVERYTHING.  Every decision they make, even ones regarding their sexual relationships, are their own. 

Now, I can hear you all tapping away at your keyboards and looking up these books.  Some of you are even researching what they are about.  A few of you are shocked at what you find.  Let’s get that conversation out of the way.

You: You say you like this book better than Fifty Shades of Grey?  *Holds up Kushiel’s Dart*

Me: Yup, that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

You: But, there is “prostitution” in this book.

Me: Yes there is.

You: There is homosexuality in here too.  Not just lesbians, but gay men too.

Me: That’s a fact.

You: People like pain in here?

Me: Yes, some give it, others receive it.

You: There is even a reference to a made up religion that is very similar to, and has roots in, something I already believe in, and it makes me uncomfortable.

Me: A true statement indeed.

You: Then why on earth would I want to read it?

Me: You might not want to. 

You: Why are we having this conversation again?

I don’t want to force anyone to read something that might go against something very fundamentally important to them.  I do, however, want to encourage people to read something outside of their comfort zone if it might benefit them.  People are reading Fifty Shades because it is helping to spice up their sex lives.  I believe Kushiel’s Dart could do the same thing.

In Terre d'Ange, everyone is encouraged to “love as thou wilt.” In fact, it is the basis of their faith.  There are houses of pleasure that make up the heart of the economy that cater to each and every aspect of pleasure, sexual and otherwise.  The people of Terre d'Ange do pay for these services.  It is a form of prostitution, and in some cases, servitude.  That can be a little hard to look past, and I respect that.  The main difference is everyone that is involved with the “court of the night blooming flowers” makes their own choices.  They choose who they see, the patrons they take in, the acts they preform, and even if they continue in the service.  To have that taken away from them is a sin.

The main character in Kushiel’s Dart, Phèdre nó Delaunay, is such a strong woman.  She fights through all of the books she is in to do right, to learn more, and most of all, stay true to who she is.  She learns how to read people, and becomes quite good at it.  Good enough that she acts as a “spy”.  She works to avenge those who took care of her when they are taken away too soon.   She becomes fluent in languages quickly, and works as an ambassador of sorts, for her government before her adventures are through.  She falls in love, in her own time, in her own way, to a man that accepts her for who she is.  He would never dream of trying to make her into something she isn’t.

That doesn’t even cover the sex and erotic fantasy covered in these books. I won’t go into too much detail, but if that is what you are looking for, it’s here.  I will caution you by saying there is a lot of BDSM.  Some, in fact, is quite violent. It might not be for everyone, but that is true of most things I suppose.

That said, I don’t believe the Fifty Shades books are all bad.  The underlying story is what kept me reading through the entire series.  Once you get past all the Dom/Sub crap, and Christian being the possessive ass hat that he is, you will find that he is just a broken little boy looking for someone to put him back together. The way in which he found to cope with his broken-ness, was obviously wrong on so many levels.  At the time, though, he really didn’t know that.  All he saw in himself was someone who was unworthy of love, and only knew pain.  This is enough to break anyone.

Ana, through most of the story, seems like a bit of a damp wash rag to me.  She is willing to go along with anything thrown her way, just as long as Christian says it’s what he wants.  It took a long time for her to realize her limits, and take action to stop Christian before things went too far.

I HATE that she allowed him to take over so much of her life.  Before they even went on their first date, he knew her entire family history, her job, her bank account information, everything.  He could pull any string or push any button and change her entire life without her permission!  When she tried to get a job separate from his company, he bought the company.  When she tried to visit her mom, he showed up at the hotel.  He forced her to go on hormonal birth control when he tired of using condoms!!!!!!! In a later book, he cried, whined, got pissed off, and used sex to get her to change her name after they got married!!!  This is wrong! 

OK, I know this is fiction.  I understand that many of you reading this book are going to tell me that just because it makes you all hot and bothered, doesn’t mean it’s going to change how you allow men to treat you.  To you I say thank you.  There are women, and young ladies, that will allow it to change their perception.  This is what I worry about. 

There are women out there that are already in bad relationships that are going to look at this story and say, “You know, I like this kind of sexual stuff too.  Perhaps I should let a man control every aspect of our relationship just to get the sexual release I want.”  NO!!! DO NOT DO THIS THING!!!  You can have your sexual desires met without giving up control of your life.  There are men that are willing to play out your fantasies, and theirs too, without cutting you off from the things that make you YOU!!!!  No one other person, whether you are sexually compatible with them or not, should keep you from the things, people, and pastimes you love!  THIS IS ABUSE!!  AAAHHHRRRGGGGG!! &%&#*(&^$*$#()^&#@*)^&$*#)*^_)#@&$(*&_*(^&$*_(*_%&#(*@!!!!

OK, I’m better now.

Look, I realize that Kushiel’s Dart and the rest of Jacqueline Carey’s series could be classified as messed up, much of Fifty Shades of Grey, and the rest of E L James’ series.  I just want women (and men too) to know that there are other books out there that may get you the desired results that don’t lead you to believe that all relationships work that way.  Edward controlled Bella in Twilight.  Christian controls Ana in Fifty Shades of Grey.  No one controls Phèdre, any more than she lets them, in Kushiel’s Dart.

The moral of my story is: If you are into erotic stories, and you want something different, and I think better, pick up one of Jacqueline Carey’s books.  Please.

I am going to go eat a cookie and pet my dog now.

Ohio school shooting.

I have been watching the news the past couple of days concerning the school shooting in Ohio with sadness and fear.  When I watch the news, sometimes I forget my kids are old enough to watch it too, and understand a lot of what they see.  Last night Annie reminded me.

She was standing in the living room with Russell and me after dinner, trying to plan for the rest of the evening when the story came on.  I could see her reaction brewing on her face, and my heart started racing because of her fear.

She asked me if that could ever happen in Wabash.  Now, I am not in the habit of scaring my kids to prove a point.  I think there other ways to teach them about the problems and horrors the world could throw at them, and still keep them safely informed.  Last night, I am pretty sure I scared her.

I told her (and her dad told her too) that something like that has a small chance of happening in our mostly quiet little town, but there was no promise it wouldn't.  We told her to always keep her phone on her, which she said she did anyway, and if someone ever started threatening the class and she had no where to run, to hide.  We explained that in this case, hiding was her best option to stay alive and unharmed.  We told her to pick a good spot, quickly, out of the line of sight of the aggressor, and to stay as quiet as possible while calling 911.  She agreed, and really took us seriously.

After she left the room, I really started to feel horrible for having scared her that way.  Russ and I talked about it, and he made me understand that it was a necessary evil.  At the time, I accepted it and went about my business. Today, though, I don't want to accept it.  It sickens me to think I have to worry about my kid being shot and killed at school. 

I understand that the people who commit these crimes are usually pushed to a point of no return by a bad home life, or a mental imbalance.  Sometimes, and this might be one of those cases, it is due to bullying. 

Parents, I really think we need to take responsibility for this bullying epidemic.  No one wants to admit their kid isn't fitting in anywhere and is the target of being bullied anymore than we want to admit our kid is a bully, but with our kids we have to put our pride on the back burner.  We need to remind our kids to come to us when someone is treating them in ways they don't approve of, and to take action when no on else will. 

We also need to humble ourselves and properly discipline or get help for kids who are harming others.  Kids don't bully just for the joy of doing it, they do it because something isn't right in their lives.  It is our job to fix it.

I don't want this to come across as blaming anyone for the Ohio shooting.  Sometimes, these things just can't be stopped before they spiral out of control.  I sincerely send my thoughts, prayers, and well wishes to everyone there while they try to heal from this tragedy.  Honestly, I hope this is the last time we ever have to hear about something like this, and the advice I had to give my daughter goes unused and forgotten long after her grandchildren have children.  I just think we, as parents need to talk with our kids about this and try and make them understand the importance of preparedness. 

We also need to remind them that it is not OK for anyone, anytime, anywhere, to treat them like they are less than a person.  No one should harm them with words or with physical violence.  The kids need to start at the school, and try to fix the situation by telling a trusted adult.  If there is no one willing to help them, they need to tell us so we can do whatever it takes to get it stopped, and repair the damage before it's too late. 

Again, my thoughts and prayers got out to all those in Ohio today. 

Long time, no blog.

Hello, all!  I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted here.  I suppose I got busy, and let time, as well as my commitment to my blog, get away from me.  Eh, stuff happens, I suppose.

I know people talk a lot this time of year about New Years resolutions, or the fact they have already broken them, but I am doing my best to hold myself accountable for my actions.  I suppose that is my 2resolution in it's basic form.  For too long I have been cruising through my days  without really justifying any of my actions.  This means I would play Skyrim all day long, and then wonder why I still had all this stuff left to do, and no motivation to do it.  Now, I have to do the things that need done, before I can plant myself on the couch for a marathon of killing Foresworn, and collecting treasure.

Part two of my resolution is to get healthy.  I have cut back on the amount of sugar I eat, almost completely cut soda out of my diet, and cut my caloric intake by quite a bit.  I made a bad habit of eating everything that wasn't nailed to the floor over the holidays, and it shows. I am also moving a lot more.  I love to take walks outside, but it is January in Indiana, so that isn't always realistic.  Instead, I am making use of the YMCA membership, and I find that I like it.  It feels good to set goals work up a good sweat too!

Thing three, I am writing a book.  Rather, I am writing a trilogy.  I started writing in November for NaNoWriMo, and completely got the basic story, start to finish, written!  That was the goal that started this resolution, and it felt wonderful to finally get something finished that I always wanted to do.  While writing, I found I could continue the story into at least one, and likely two, more books!  I have a lot of editing to do before the first book is anywhere near ready to be read by anyone, but I am really optimistic about it.  The second book has exactly five paragraphs.  

Now, on to updates!!

I had a wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family.  We ate way too much food, and the house looked like a toy store exploded all over, but I do believe everyone was happy.  That, in my opinion at least, was the most important part.  We spent New Years at home playing games with the kids, and watching TV.  It was quiet, (as quiet as four kids can be.) and lots of fun too!  Paige beat me in  game of Skip-Bo, and we had home made Chocolate milk shakes.


I read several books in the bast few months.  I hope I can remember them all, most were really good.

First A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin.  I really loved the ending of this book.  The action was exciting, and well worth the length, and build up of the story.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson was so exciting!  There was a lot of action, and lots of mystery, in this book playing on the Jack the ripper murders.  It is age appropriate for young teenagers too.

The Last Little Blue Envelope also by Maureen Johnson.  This was such a sweet ending to this story. There was just enough romance to make you emotional at times, and the quest from Ginny's aunt was as eccentric as she was with a satisfying ending.

Naamah's Blessing is the third book in the third trilogy of the Kushiel's Legacy series by Jacqueline Carey.  In this story, Moirin goes home to the homeland of her father only to find out she has to leave and go on another adventure before going back home to her mother, and starting a family with her new husband Bao.  The adventure was beautifully described in every detail.  I could picture the landscape and faces of each one of the people.  I was drawn in to Moirin's dilemma with her destiny, and her want to go home.  I cried so much in the end, but it was a fulfilling and satisfying end.  I am not afraid to admit how much I hope there is more to this series.

I feel like there are more books that I have read, but I can't remember what.

Anyway, I think that is all for now.  I will update on my weight loss, hopefully weekly, and progress of the writing as well.

Thanks for reading!

Little League, or where to find me in the summer time

Good Morning, everyone!

It’s spring time!  If you were to go to our local schools and take a poll, you would find a large number of those kids play a sport in the spring time.  For many here it’s either YMCA Soccer or Little League Baseball.

My brother played soccer when he was a kid, and I always loved going to the games.  My daughter, Paige, even played for a season.  She was only three, though, and really couldn’t find the appeal.  I like the soccer program here, and we have great fields to play on now, but my kids always choose baseball.

I played Little League for one year when I was Eight years old.  It really was a lot of fun!  I wanted to play longer, but never got the chance.  My brother played for about six years.  I loved sitting in the stands and cheering his team on.  I really can’t think of a much better way to spend a summer evening then at the ball diamond… except for maybe in front of a campfire!

YAY!!  Now comes the part where I brag about my kids!

Annie plays for the American League Indians.  This is her fifth year playing.  In American League, the kids pitch, and steals are allowed.  The games generally last an hour and forty-five minutes, but have to go four innings.  There are a wide range of skill levels in this league, and even the sizes of the kids are wide ranging.  Annie is the second tallest kid on her team, and the tallest is a girl too!

Before I go any further, there will be people who ask (of the whole 2 people who read this), why is your girl playing baseball and not softball?  We have a softball program here through the YMCA.  From what I hear it’s a good program too.  The Little League program here is co-ed, (and I am not gonna lie, cheaper)  and really geared to all ages and skill levels as well as genders.  It was her choice to play baseball over softball, and I am quite proud of her for it!

That said, Annie’s team had their first game on Tuesday.  They played the White sox in a game that was good from the beginning.  The Indians took the lead early, and held it for most of the game.  Annie got walked twice, and scored both times.  She even slid into home (for the first time!!) and knocked down a kid that was blocking home plate!  In the end, a few bad fielding errors cost us the game, and we lost by one.  We play again on Friday.  Watch this space for updates!

Gwynn decided not to play this year, but she played for four years.  Two years on the T-ball Angels, and two years on the Coach’s Pitch Cubs.  She was doing quite well too.

Paige is starting her fourth year playing Little League.  She played two years on the T-ball Angels, and this is her second year on the Coach’s Pitch Cubs.  They had a practice game last night.  I was quite pleased!


                            Second Photo by H. Renee Photography

Ben is starting his second season on the T-ball Blue Jays.  He really has a lot of fun and is learning a lot!

The Little League is always looking for volunteers.  I am sure this is true in our league as well as all over the country.  They are looking for people to coach, to maintain fields, to sponsor teams, to score keep, to run concession stands, to drive team members, and to umpire.  If you have spare time, there is surely a spot to fill.  If you don’t have time to volunteer, and you are looking for a worthy cause to donate a few dollars to, your local Little league is a good place to start.  The money you donate (or give to the players who solicit you for a fund raiser), goes to buying uniforms, paying umpires, field maintenance, and helping kids whose families can’t pay, get a chance to play.

I have seen great things happen in my kids since they have stated playing, that I am sure happen to most kids who play.  Confidence being the number one result.  If you take the most timid child, and show them they can hit a ball and put him up in front of a few dozen people, a new kid will emerge standing at home plate.   They go from not believing in themselves to wanting to try new things over night.  Even if they never become professional athletes as a result of their time on the field, the confidence to stand up and face your fears is infinitely valuable.

Yes you can get hurt in Little League baseball.  In Annie’s first year of American League, I think she got hit with pitches eleven times!  I was always so proud of her for getting back out there every time even if she was terrified of the ball.  She always wanted to keep going.  You can’t buy that kind of courage.

Paige is facing a new challenge this year.  She is the only girl on her team this year.  She almost always, at least, had  her sister Gwynn on her team too.  It’s hard for her trying to fit in with all the boys, but she still goes out every day and does her very best.  She has friends on the team, so that helps.  I have heard her say several times that she isn’t that good compared to some of the boys, and I keep telling her to do her best every day and she will be fine.  I am hoping she will learn to believe in herself.  That is an important lesson we all need to learn. 

If you are looking for more information on Little League baseball there is a website for the National program.   If you live in Wabash (like I do)  they have a website too.  If you can’t find information on your local program, ask around.  Check with your chamber of commerce, your local United Way, Your school system, or YMCA.  Generally if you ask around long enough, someone will point you in the right direction. 

If you are already involved in the Little League, there are a lot of resources for you too!  Did you know there are apps for your smart phone.  Go here!!   They have apps for scoring, Rules, and game viewing!  I never would have thought of this stuff when I was watching my brother play. 

Looking for books or DVD’s concerning Little League baseball?  They are out there, coaching 2, pitching too, hitting TWO , fielding to, and T-ball basics too.  There are books on the history if Little League baseball, and books for kids about other kids who play. 

Look on YouTube for all kinds of things on Little League baseball.   There are videos on coaching strategies, and tips, videos from the little league world series, videos from proud parents, and exceptional players.  Here is one of my faves from ESPN.

Anyway, if you are looking for something to do this summer, or a way to volunteer, start with your Local Little League.  Look for me out at the diamond, since I will be spending a good deal of my spring and summer there!!

By the way, I have You Tube videos of my kids too, but this one makes me cry ever time I watch it!

Have fun, and play hard!

Movies 2011

Hello again!

I love watching movies, even if i don't get a chance to see many in the theaters.  We have a Netfilx account and we watch several movies and TV series every week.  I also read a lot of books that get turned into movies, but that is a post for another day.  

These are the movies that will most likely get added to our Netflix list and moved to the top as soon as possible.

 Water for Elephants came out April 22.  I heard about this movie form a Twilight blog because it starts Robert Pattinson and saw it was a bookso I read it.  I really did like the Story.  I have heard good things about it so far, and Rob, in an interview, said he really liked working with the animals.  

 Fast Five comes out on April 29.  This is the fifth in a series of movies starring Vin Diesel.  The women who watch these movies by choice, and not because their male counterparts force them to, do so because of Diesel or his co-star Paul Walker.  Me, I am in it for the cars!  

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides comes out May 20.  I want to see this one because it is a continuation of a very good series.  I am extremely disappointed that Orlando Bloom isn't in it though.

The Hangover II comes out May 26.  I loved the first installment of this series.  It was so funny, and made me wish I could go to Vegas!  Alas, I am a "responsible adult", and don't get to lose myself in this kind of insanity.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon comes out on July 1.  I just love how this series looks and sounds!  The special effects are always done so well, and I like the soundtracks too!  Speaking of soundtracks, I heard Linkin Park also has a song in this one, which excites me because I really enjoyed "New Divide".

Abduction comes out September 23.  This looks like an exciting action movie starring Taylor Lautner.  I'm not gonna lie, I want to see this movie because of him.  It looks like a good movie too, but I kinda hope he takes his shirt off. 

There are a couple kids movies coming out this summer that everyone in my house wants to see.  It would be so cool if one of the drive in's nearby could do a double feature with them.  

Kung Fu Panda May 26

Cars June 23

We really like comic book movies around here.  My husband read a lot of comics as a kid, and I am sure my son will when he gets a little older.  Personally I just love the stories.  Thor, May 6, The Green Lantern on June 17, and Captain America: The First Avenger July 22 all look to be really good movies.  I am sure they will be a big hit. The one I really want to see is X-Men First Class.  This one comes out on June 3

 There are a few others closer to the end of the year that I am also really excited about.  I don't have trailers for them yet, but I will link you to their IMDB pages for information.  As soon as their are trailers I will update this post. Final Destination 5, August 26, Puss In Boots, November 4, The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made, November 23, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows December 16 all should be big hits.  I can't forget about the other HUGE movie series spawned by a great series of books.  The first half of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn hits theaters on November 23.  You can keep up dated  here or, here.  I will of course post a trailer as soon as there is an official one. 

Last, but certainly not least, at least to me, is the grand finale to the decade long Harry Potter movie franchise.  I LOVE these books, and I have enjoyed these movies too.  I am going to be really sad to see the series end.  This one, I promise you, I will see in the theaters.  I am hoping we can go see it in IMAX.  Anyway, this movie comes out on July 15.  The first trailer came out tonight.  Enjoy!

What do you think?  Are there other movies that I missed?  Let me know and I will look them up!

Hope