PETA Wouldn't Approve!

I was at my parent's house on Saturday afternoon getting ready to go to a bbq at my aunt and uncle's house. I still have a jewelry box at their house full of things I had when I was a child. Mostly its stuff I don't wear or wouldn't wear but still wanted to keep, so I just never really bothered to move it to my house. I like to go through this stuff from time to time because my tastes change and occasionally I'll find something I feel like putting into the jewelry rotation for a while!

I found this small, ivory elephant charm that I had bought in Hawaii a LOOOONG time ago. I think it is so pretty, so I decided to wear it. I didn't have a gold chain to put it on (sold all my gold at Ca$h 4 Gold .... kidding) so I went to ask my mom for one. This sent her digging into her jewelry box and she found 3 more ivory elephant charms but hers were a little larger than mine. Two of them had never been worn, and she figured they were something she'd bought in Hawaii with the intention of gifting them to someone so she just gave one of them to me! I wore it that night and the next day and intend to be wearing this little guy more frequently for a while.

Sorry for the blurry image ... it was the best picture I could capture

I don't really think the charm is politically correct, but I don't really care much about being PC. Its pretty and I want to wear and enjoy it! (And I think it was purchased before poaching became such a heated issue)

Miss California Controversy

I heard a little blip about this on the news the other day, and then a friend told me the whole story of the Miss California controversy. I did a little research into the facts behind the controversy and really feel that the whole thing was unfair. (I hate that word, but its the best way to describe how I feel about it)

At the Miss USA pageant on Sunday night, Miss California was asked a question by one of the judges, Perez Hilton. Immediately after it was revealed that Miss California had drawn Perez's question, one of the commentators said "are we worried?"

Perez's response: "you should be"

And then he delivers his question: "Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit? Why or why not?"

Her response: "I think its great Americans are able to choose one way or another. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised, and that's how I think it should be -- between a man and a woman."

Now, I'm not writing this in order to spark a debate over gay marriage. Don't even go there.

The problem I have with this? Perez Hilton. Perez may be more polarizing than Jesse Jackson. So why was he chosen as a judge? Because the pageant owner (Trump) knew he would ask controversial questions which would ensure media coverage and debate.

Secondly, Miss California had no choice but to respond controversially. Had she said that she believes all states should legalize gay marriage, she would have been criticized by conservative groups out there. Her other choice was to state that she did not believe states should legalize gay marriage. And now, of course she is being slaughtered by the media. It was virtually impossible for her to give a middle-ground response.

Shortly after the pageant aired, Perez Hilton posted a video blog. He stated that Miss Prejean's response was "THE worst response in pageant history". He then went on to say that she lost because she was a "dumb bitch". I will give him credit in that he went on to explain what would have been a better answer. But the answer he suggested? It didn't answer the question he had posed. Furthermore, as a judge of the pageant he really should not speak out for or against any of the contestants.

I feel that Miss California was treated unfairly. She was a victim of Trump's love of media-controversy and Perez Hilton's desire to be a #1 you tube or google search. What are your thoughts?

Time for Change

I will get in so much trouble for posting this. Hope yall enjoy it because I'll certainly pay for it later!

With Spring approaching and the nice weather we have had recently, Ben has been spending much more time on golf -- practicing, playing, watching, talking about, etc. Golf is literally one of Ben's favorite things in the world and I totally get it. He is competitive and loves to challenge himself (and others) on the golf course as much as he possibly can. In order to be a decent golfer he has to practice and play frequently. I have always been supportive of this and frankly, I always will be. However. I do think it is time to draw a line in the sand.

I never take issue with Ben playing on the weekends. During the spring and summer, he typically plays at least once each weekend and sometimes two or even three times. This doesn't bother me too much (unless I want him to be at the lake with me) I also don't have a problem with him going on his loooong escapades to the PGA Superstore. That is his time and it is probably equivalent to my Target trips. I don't watch every tournament with him but I also don't try to dissuade him from watching. I really am pretty damn supportive.

The problem of late is that Ben has been going to the driving range after work at nights. That probably sounds a bit harsh, so allow me to explain myself. I cook dinner pretty much every night. When we first got married we agreed that dinner should be family time. At the table. This is the way I grew up and is a tradition I wish to continue when we have children. I don't mind eating late sometimes, but typically I like to have our dinner ready around 7 or 7:30. That is reasonable, right?

This isn't ever a problem unless Ben goes to the driving range. This spring is the first time I've noticed this happening with any regularity but I think it needs to stop. He comes home from work around 6:30 and changes to head to the driving range. He is there at least an hour but lately it has been more like 1.5 hours. This basically means he is getting home after 8:00 PM these days. I can't wait that late to eat dinner so I end up eating alone with a book or my laptop. And his sits in the microwave until he gets home.

I've instituted a new rule as of last night. Its fine if he wants to go to the driving range after work. No problem whatsoever. He just needs to go directly from work and be home by 7:30 so that we can spend some time together.

Is that too harsh? Or am I being fair?