Well today was Memorial Day, a day we are supposed to take time to remember our service members past and present. The concept is a good one, but for me it's kind of a two edged sword. I feel like we shouldn't need a day to remember because this is something we should always be doing. I have never knowingly met a service member whom I did not thank for his or her service and I thank God each and every day for those who fight for the very freedom I enjoy each and every day, I also take time each day to pray for those who are away from their families and for those who have lost loved ones.
I suppose I understand the purpose of Memorial Day and as I said I think it's a great concept but really what does it say about the people of our nation that we have to be reminded of the sacrifice given to provide what we enjoy each day?
I spent most of the morning attempting to watch the NASCAR race on television however the weather was not cooperating in Charlotte, NC and twice the race had to be stopped because of rain, and ultimately it was ended early just over halfway because the officials decided that the weather just was not going to clear enough to finish this race. The race was actually supposed to be held yesterday but after delaying the start of the race for over 3 hours they decided to postpone it until today. This race is always held on Memorial Day Weekend each year, and always this race brings out our service members and honors them just as they did this year. Yesterday most of the remembrance took place, though today NASCAR did something touching. At 3pm when our president asked for a moment of silence to remember our fallen the officials actually stopped the cars where they were, asked that they be turned off, requested that the audience rise to their feet, and that the crew chiefs stand at the edge of their boxes, and the pit crews come out of the box and stand in the pit.
It was touching in that moment to hear the absoloute silence at Lowe's Motor Speedway. I have only heard that silence a few times in NASCAR. This is something that I truely love about NASCAR auto racing, it is truely an American organization, and it really is a family sport. NASCAR fans are very loyal, but they are also some of the most well behaved spectators I have ever seen! I personally can not recall a time where the spectators made the news because of a riot, or because they caused damage to a track or car or driver...they are just really some respectfull people.
Anyway, it was during this very moment of silence that my son surprised me. He came into the living room saw the TV on, heard no noise, saw daddy and I standing in the kitchen silent, and he simply waited. My son who is only 4 actually stood there for a full minute and said nothing until he heard the sound resume on the tv! When the sound did come back he looked at daddy and I and said why's everyone so quiet, and can I have a drink of water? So after giving him his drink I sat down and explained why we were so quiet. That same child prayed for our military this evening before going to bed.
I tell this to you only because it surprised me that at 4 he seemed to understand the necessity of the silence, and he chose to honor it without knowing why. Then when he was told why, he chose to remember it and to put the soldiers in his prayers after hours of playing, eating, swimming and other things he did today he could still remember that our soldiers needed prayer and he prayed. I do not take credit for his actions, because I believe that respect for our country and for those who defend her is not something that can be taught. Sure we can teach the Pledge of Allegiance, and we can teach proper care of the flag and other things that show respect, but these are just actions. I don't believe that one can be taught to feel respect for our country and our military, just as one can not be taught to feel respect for others, we teach the action of respect but the feeling that is something different, something that each person has to learn on their own. My 4yo chose today to learn that feeling of respect, for that I am thankful.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
What Birbitt thinks about restaurants.
Generally my family and I enjoy going out to eat on occasion, or ordering food in just so I can have a break. Today was one of those days but it was not an easy task.
We first tried to order in so we didn't have to go back out into the heat to have dinner. So we called our favorite place down the street but they must have been very busy because the first time I called they hung up on me though I'm sure it wasn't deliberate. So I called back several times and was unable to get them to pick up. I figured if they were that busy we should just order elsewhere. So hubby and I decided to try a new place so I called to place our order. We will not be calling them back anytime soon! I can honestly say today was a first for me, when I called and placed the order I requested that they substitute mayonnaise for the dressing on my sandwich to which I was told we don't do that here you'll have to order the sandwich as it's listed on the menu. I could not believe my ears did this man really tell me that I could not customize my order? So I explained again what I wanted and again he told me that they didn't do "special" orders. OK, fine so I politely told him that he could cancel the entire order and I'd just order somewhere else. He tells me I can't do that because they've already started the order...really I haven't even been given a total yet and you've already started my order? Finally after speaking to the manager I am able to cancel my order since they can't prepare it the way I like it.
By this time we've spent nearly an hour trying to order dinner...OK I give up! Boys get on your shoes we're going out! So we went out to dinner and it was yummy! The food was just the way we like it and the service was good. Now everyone has full bellies and we head home.
So here is what Birbitt think about restaurants. I can not believe that such a restaurant exists that you may only order what is on the menu exactly as it's listed on the menu. What if someone has an allergy? Having gone to culinary school myself I understand quite a bit about the restaurant world and this particular place boggles my mind. Is it not hard enough for restaurants right now with our economy struggling? Do they really have so much money coming in that they can afford to turn customers away simply because they want their order customized? Seriously I can not even begin to understand what this restaurant owner was thinking. It would be interesting to know how many customers this place actually has, because I can tell you I don't know too many people who would order there if they can't customize. I suppose this is the nature of business though, if you don't like one place there is always another down the road. However when people are scraping by and someone comes to your place to spend money I would think you'd do all you can to make sure that person spends the money there and comes back again. We will not be going back there again, but I guess they can afford to turn people away.
How places like this one survive tough times like this and yet we've seen many of our favorite little places go out of business in the past year is beyond me. This place doesn't deserve to be in business if this is how they treat customers, and yet so many little ma and pa type places can't afford to continue on becuase of the economy and those are the places we will miss the most.
OK, I know I'm ranting but this particular event just got me all in a knot. I shouldn't let it bother me but it does perhaps that's because I know the restaurant world so well, perhaps it's just because I'm pregnant and moody, or perhaps it's just because I am human and I was inconvenienced. I don't know why it bothers me so much to see places like this stay in business while the little guy or gal is put out of business by the economy but it just really bothers me.
Growing up mom, daddy and me we'd get in the car and just drive and see where we ended up. I always enjoyed this and when it came time to stop for dinner daddy always looked for a place that was maybe a little off the beaten path, maybe a little shabby looking on the outside, but the parking lot was always full and I can honestly say we've never been served a bad meal in a place like that. Little family run businesses almost always have honest, hard working folks behind the counter and good, wholesome meals on the table. I've tried to follow daddy's example but more and more it's becoming harder and harder to find those little places and we are sometimes forced to take our business to the "big dogs".
I believe this country was built on the back of ma and pa shopkeeper, and for as long as they're around and as long as I can find them I will search for them and spend my money there. Yes sometimes it's necessary to shop the big chain stores, but when I want someone to do the cooking for me, I want it to be in a quiet, out of the way, little place. Not a big impersonal chain.
So ma and pa if you are out there reading this just know that I am looking for you, and I am sure there are others out there just like me. Don't give up, work hard, and know that we appreciate you!
That's what Birbitt thinks.
We first tried to order in so we didn't have to go back out into the heat to have dinner. So we called our favorite place down the street but they must have been very busy because the first time I called they hung up on me though I'm sure it wasn't deliberate. So I called back several times and was unable to get them to pick up. I figured if they were that busy we should just order elsewhere. So hubby and I decided to try a new place so I called to place our order. We will not be calling them back anytime soon! I can honestly say today was a first for me, when I called and placed the order I requested that they substitute mayonnaise for the dressing on my sandwich to which I was told we don't do that here you'll have to order the sandwich as it's listed on the menu. I could not believe my ears did this man really tell me that I could not customize my order? So I explained again what I wanted and again he told me that they didn't do "special" orders. OK, fine so I politely told him that he could cancel the entire order and I'd just order somewhere else. He tells me I can't do that because they've already started the order...really I haven't even been given a total yet and you've already started my order? Finally after speaking to the manager I am able to cancel my order since they can't prepare it the way I like it.
By this time we've spent nearly an hour trying to order dinner...OK I give up! Boys get on your shoes we're going out! So we went out to dinner and it was yummy! The food was just the way we like it and the service was good. Now everyone has full bellies and we head home.
So here is what Birbitt think about restaurants. I can not believe that such a restaurant exists that you may only order what is on the menu exactly as it's listed on the menu. What if someone has an allergy? Having gone to culinary school myself I understand quite a bit about the restaurant world and this particular place boggles my mind. Is it not hard enough for restaurants right now with our economy struggling? Do they really have so much money coming in that they can afford to turn customers away simply because they want their order customized? Seriously I can not even begin to understand what this restaurant owner was thinking. It would be interesting to know how many customers this place actually has, because I can tell you I don't know too many people who would order there if they can't customize. I suppose this is the nature of business though, if you don't like one place there is always another down the road. However when people are scraping by and someone comes to your place to spend money I would think you'd do all you can to make sure that person spends the money there and comes back again. We will not be going back there again, but I guess they can afford to turn people away.
How places like this one survive tough times like this and yet we've seen many of our favorite little places go out of business in the past year is beyond me. This place doesn't deserve to be in business if this is how they treat customers, and yet so many little ma and pa type places can't afford to continue on becuase of the economy and those are the places we will miss the most.
OK, I know I'm ranting but this particular event just got me all in a knot. I shouldn't let it bother me but it does perhaps that's because I know the restaurant world so well, perhaps it's just because I'm pregnant and moody, or perhaps it's just because I am human and I was inconvenienced. I don't know why it bothers me so much to see places like this stay in business while the little guy or gal is put out of business by the economy but it just really bothers me.
Growing up mom, daddy and me we'd get in the car and just drive and see where we ended up. I always enjoyed this and when it came time to stop for dinner daddy always looked for a place that was maybe a little off the beaten path, maybe a little shabby looking on the outside, but the parking lot was always full and I can honestly say we've never been served a bad meal in a place like that. Little family run businesses almost always have honest, hard working folks behind the counter and good, wholesome meals on the table. I've tried to follow daddy's example but more and more it's becoming harder and harder to find those little places and we are sometimes forced to take our business to the "big dogs".
I believe this country was built on the back of ma and pa shopkeeper, and for as long as they're around and as long as I can find them I will search for them and spend my money there. Yes sometimes it's necessary to shop the big chain stores, but when I want someone to do the cooking for me, I want it to be in a quiet, out of the way, little place. Not a big impersonal chain.
So ma and pa if you are out there reading this just know that I am looking for you, and I am sure there are others out there just like me. Don't give up, work hard, and know that we appreciate you!
That's what Birbitt thinks.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Who am I and Why am I called Birbitt?
Well this is my first attempt at blogging, so I will start by telling you who I am and where the name Birbitt came from.
I am a Christian, and for that I am unapologetic, I am also an Independent, Fundamental, Bible Believing Baptist and again for that I do not apologize. I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a friend. I have been married for almost 7 years to a man that I believe God sent me, we have had many ups and downs in our lives and our life together yet through it all we remain a family and we always come out stronger than we went in. My husband and I have two children who are 6 and 4 and we are expecting our third child next month. We also have pets two cats and some fish. We are currently a homeschooling family, and although our children may attend a Christian School this fall I believe that our homeschooling will not stop but rather take another form if we make this change.
Now where did Birbitt come from? I'm sure you would like the answer to that one. It's a funny name, and one that's uncommon I'm sure, well let me explain you see I grew up on a farm and in the country we have some funny names for rather common things. I don't know why we don't call things by their proper names we just don't. Well growing up I loved rabbits and I had several pet rabbits. Well growing up we always called a rabbit a birbitt which I think it a mix of bunny and rabbit, and so because I loved rabbits so much, and because I enjoyed spending time online I decided that when I was online I would become Birbitt since I do not like posting my real name for all the world to see.
I chose to start blogging tonight because I found myself looking for something to do as I adjust to my husband's new work schedule as he's now gone from working early morning to mid afternoon, to working overnights. I think this will be a better setup for our family, it's just going to take some getting used to. So here I sit at the computer looking for a way to pass some time until I am tired enough to go to bed. I found myself napping this afternoon with the children and my husband because it was so hot and so now I am unable to sleep.
This is one thing I do not enjoy about Arizona summers, it's too hot! Today it was 107, which is unusual this time of year so it was not expected. We went to the pool for a little while but even there it was too hot to stay long. Then as always happens when we swim in the afternoons we all came home and fell asleep, something about swimming makes us very tired.
I am getting very anxious for our new little one to arrive I can't wait to see him, and hold him. I suppose I am also getting tired of being pregnant as always happens later in my pregnancies simply because it's harder to sleep, and harder to do everyday things because my belly gets in the way. I also want to have the baby before the true summer heat hits us here. I think we are pretty much set for our new baby, I have his bed and bedding, clothes, and all the little baby accessories, we have a swing and bouncy seat (though I doubt they'll get much use), and we have a car seat and stroller which I'm sure we'll use a lot. I've made all his diapers since we'll be using cloth on this baby to avoid all the rashes and sensitivities that we had with the older two. It is true what they say about learning as you go along as a parent. With my older two I didn't think I had a choice, I thought my only option was disposable diapers. I was wrong, we can use cloth and it's easier than you might think. I chose to make our diapers so that we would save money as well as our baby's little bottom, but there are many great options out there for purchase as well and a lot of them are as easy to use as a disposable the only difference being that you have to wash them instead of throwing them away.
Well, now you know a little about me and my family, and you know what a Birbitt is. Thanks for reading as I begin my adventures in blogging.
I am a Christian, and for that I am unapologetic, I am also an Independent, Fundamental, Bible Believing Baptist and again for that I do not apologize. I am a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a friend. I have been married for almost 7 years to a man that I believe God sent me, we have had many ups and downs in our lives and our life together yet through it all we remain a family and we always come out stronger than we went in. My husband and I have two children who are 6 and 4 and we are expecting our third child next month. We also have pets two cats and some fish. We are currently a homeschooling family, and although our children may attend a Christian School this fall I believe that our homeschooling will not stop but rather take another form if we make this change.
Now where did Birbitt come from? I'm sure you would like the answer to that one. It's a funny name, and one that's uncommon I'm sure, well let me explain you see I grew up on a farm and in the country we have some funny names for rather common things. I don't know why we don't call things by their proper names we just don't. Well growing up I loved rabbits and I had several pet rabbits. Well growing up we always called a rabbit a birbitt which I think it a mix of bunny and rabbit, and so because I loved rabbits so much, and because I enjoyed spending time online I decided that when I was online I would become Birbitt since I do not like posting my real name for all the world to see.
I chose to start blogging tonight because I found myself looking for something to do as I adjust to my husband's new work schedule as he's now gone from working early morning to mid afternoon, to working overnights. I think this will be a better setup for our family, it's just going to take some getting used to. So here I sit at the computer looking for a way to pass some time until I am tired enough to go to bed. I found myself napping this afternoon with the children and my husband because it was so hot and so now I am unable to sleep.
This is one thing I do not enjoy about Arizona summers, it's too hot! Today it was 107, which is unusual this time of year so it was not expected. We went to the pool for a little while but even there it was too hot to stay long. Then as always happens when we swim in the afternoons we all came home and fell asleep, something about swimming makes us very tired.
I am getting very anxious for our new little one to arrive I can't wait to see him, and hold him. I suppose I am also getting tired of being pregnant as always happens later in my pregnancies simply because it's harder to sleep, and harder to do everyday things because my belly gets in the way. I also want to have the baby before the true summer heat hits us here. I think we are pretty much set for our new baby, I have his bed and bedding, clothes, and all the little baby accessories, we have a swing and bouncy seat (though I doubt they'll get much use), and we have a car seat and stroller which I'm sure we'll use a lot. I've made all his diapers since we'll be using cloth on this baby to avoid all the rashes and sensitivities that we had with the older two. It is true what they say about learning as you go along as a parent. With my older two I didn't think I had a choice, I thought my only option was disposable diapers. I was wrong, we can use cloth and it's easier than you might think. I chose to make our diapers so that we would save money as well as our baby's little bottom, but there are many great options out there for purchase as well and a lot of them are as easy to use as a disposable the only difference being that you have to wash them instead of throwing them away.
Well, now you know a little about me and my family, and you know what a Birbitt is. Thanks for reading as I begin my adventures in blogging.
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