Belle's Beast and Fred Flintstone In A Relationship

We've seen the heart moving fairy tale by Disney called "Beauty and The Beast." Did you know that the first published version of this story was in 1740? The first version is slightly different than the Disney version. I love watching the movie and can do so over and over again.


It is indeed a movie to ponder. The Beast, who isn't very handsome, and Belle the Beauty, meet each other and eventually fall in love. By the end of the movie, I actually forgot that the Beast was ugly because I fell in love with him too. That's what fairy tales do for you...they absorb you in the story and plot while you become the main character living out the role on the screen. I've been Belle many times!


Country music recording artist, Kenny Chesney, made popular the song "You Had Me From Hello." Following that same pattern, the Beast "Had Me When He Gave Belle The Library As A Gift." The Library was MAGNIFICENT and actually this nerdy redhead's dream! I've always wanted to have a huge library of my own. I can imagine being lost in the Beast's library for days and forgetting everything while I voraciously read the books.


As little girls group up, we think that as a natural consequence of aging, we will find that perfect man who will shower us with "libraries" and dance ballroom style in the middle of a palatial home while dressed in a tuxedo just for us. It doesn't take too long after we get married that we find that the adoring Beast has turned into Fred Flintstone.


What a man that Fred Flintstone is and Wilma is even worse than June Cleaver. My Grandmother was a June Cleaver double and as much as I love my Grandfather (both have passed away now), it drives me nuts still just to remember how she perceived "wifeliness." The "little woman, barefoot and pregnant, waiting on her man hand and foot" is just not realistic any more and I don't believe it was reasonable long ago either. On the hand, a man is not required to shower a woman with lavish gifts 24/7, 365 days a year either. I hear women gasping...I know it is hard to fathom, but no matter how special "we" are, continual gifts and shopping sprees are insane.


If I work all day the same or longer hours than my husband, why should I come home and cook, wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, wash the laundry, dust the furniture, clean the windows, fold the laundry, clean the kitchen, vacuum, iron the clothes, etc. (I could continue with this list for another hour) if he is just going to lay on the couch, watch T.V., and take a nap? HELLOOOOOO! I don't think so!

I am definitely an EOC...Equal Opportunity Companion. If I cook; he cleans the kitchen. If I clean the bathroom; he washes the laundry and folds the towels. When I go to the store to buy groceries; he pushes the cart. When I vacuum, then he dusts the furniture...and I inspect to make sure he also dusted the legs on the tables. You get the picture? I'm not saying that he doesn't complain or that he has on a happy face during the whole experience, but if he wants the redhead as a wife, there are "requirements" in the relationship and I don't think they are unreasonable. I get just as tired and worn out as he does, so "what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

I believe the "little things" count and they really do make or break a relationship. I understand that men like to belch and have noisy gas releases, but I don't want to hear them. I also know that men are "out" working every day and see beautiful women in nice clothes, hair perfect and wearing makeup. I can guarantee that when my husband sees me after he gets home from work, I am not looking shabby. Appearance matters and I think it matters more to men than women. That, of course, is just my personal opinion.

For a few pointers: Don't forget to TALK to each other and to notice the characteristic traits that drew you to one another in the beginning. He is not the Beast any more than you are Belle. Keep up the good manners; a "please" and "thank you" go a long way. Listen intently if you want to be heard when you are speaking. "Constructive criticism" not blaming and accusing. Don't think he can read your mind. Maybe I should repeat that one...Don't think he can read your mind. He CAN NOT read your mind. He CAN NOT even fathom the 150 things that go through your mind every millisecond. If you want him to know something or remember something, SAY IT to him. And maybe one more - Realize that he is not going to be perfect any more than you are perfect. Love him for all his good traits and nurture the companionship.


It has been relatively quiet around here while I was writing this post. I wonder where my husband is?...let me turn the volume on music player down...Oh yes...I think I hear Fred Flintstone snoring the roof off in the bedroom now...



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You Can Do It!

Jamestown island formed many thousands of years ago from a series of shoals along the James River. When colonists arrived in 1607, an isthmus connected the island to the mainland, and a "paradise" of virgin hardwoods covered the land. By 1800, the isthmus had eroded, and the forest had been cleared for farming. Today the loop road around the island affords views of the James River, the marshes and the regenerating forest.


The settlers who came to this country were faced with many hardships. If they had not been determined to stay in this land, I would not be sitting in front of a computer in a country called the United States of America.

This week a huge number of employees lost their jobs. I watch the news and it is scary and depressing. My job is still currently intact, but no one is immune to the steady decline of the financial hardships now facing this country.

Remember that YOU are fantastic and that your job is a portion of your life...it doesn't define you. Don't give up! This hardship will pass and when you reach the other side of it, you can be a better person.

Life is frequently a struggle. I think Ben Stein makes a good point:

"It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated... it is finished when it surrenders."

Don't surrender today. You can do anything if you just don't give up! Run down the unknown path with vigor, hope and perseverance!



Thomas Paine once said, "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."

If you can't take one day at a time, take one hour and if that is too much, take one minute at a time. Allow yourself space. Don't overwhelm your mind. Relax. Let peace enter your mind to speak comfort. You can do it!

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How Much of My Soul?

I have been contemplating to what extent I am willing to share "myself" with the internet's population and in essence the world. I wouldn't say "the world" except that according to my NeoCounter located in my right side bar, my blog has been hit with viewers from 34 countries. With that being said, there are different feelings and events that human beings share with family, friends and acquaintances. Some feelings you never tell anyone (they remain personal secrets forever) while other emotions you share with everyone. How much of my soul am I willing to put on paper in an attempt to help others with their life experience? Well, that too is a hard question to answer because I AM a "people" person who is private. This juxtaposition is part of the uniqueness of my character. Rather than answer that question, I posed it as, how much of my soul am I willing to share with those I love in an attempt to improve their life experience? That answer was easier for me.

As I have struggled with the answers to these questions, serious introspection has taken place. This process of examining my mental and emotional characteristics and well being has not been easy. How many people really want to stand in front of the proverbial mirror and be totally honest? I would say that those people are in the minority or our population. If this wasn't so, why do people start therapy and when the going starts to get rough and honest, they quit? Self-examination is not an easy task. Actually, it is more of a chore and unless it is to help change take place, what is the point?

During this process, I am becoming even more aware of who I am, what I like, what makes me tick, what gives me hope and what makes me happy along with all the antonyms of the previous adjectives. I am one person in the middle of a huge planet...can I really make a difference to anyone? I've decided that I am going to try, knowing that it won't be easy. I will try to be open, honest, sincere, and to tell of the experiences that I know many others also must "go through" in this Earthly existence.

To begin this journey, my blog's format will be to break up a posting into different sections which will represent distinct portions of my life experience. On some days I will have one posting with one subject and other days I will have multiple postings covering all subjects. I want to post my blog entry when I am "in" the experience and the emotions are raw and at the surface. To date, my writing has been disjointed information and experiences. I am aiming for a more cohesive, helpful and entertaining blog.

I will begin with something that I am very comfortable doing and that is making a list. This will be the division of topics of exploration and aspects of my life that will be discussed. In no special order, the essence of the format topics:

• I Want A Baby
  
  
• "Older" And In Love
  
  
• Parental Opposites
  
  
• Aging & Disease
  
  
• Rights of Passage
  
  
• Aspirations & Dreams
  
  
• Obsessive Love & OCD
  
  
• My Best Friend Is Gone
  

Let me start by telling you a little bit more about who I am...the real me.

I'm a natural redhead who was born with bright orange, naturally curly hair that my mother put rollers in to give me a bouffant style. If you don't believe that, check out my profile picture. It really makes me laugh and I'm sure it will give you a chuckle as well. I used to be covered with tiny freckles that I wished would join together on one spot of my body so that I could be at least tanned in a two inch by two inch spot.

I loved and love school. I love the "smell" of school. That fresh paper smell when you open a book all the way and bury your nose in the pages. I love the "feel" of intelligence at school. The books that line the library walls filled with words of great people with fantastic life altering ideas and accomplishments. I love the "look" of school with the tidy chairs placed in an organized arrangement and huge boards full of color on every wall. School offers the hope of tomorrow and the thrill of accomplishment.

I was born into a relatively small family. I was the first grandchild to both sides of the family and the first of two children born to my parents. My mother is the first of four daughters and my father is the only child. I was not born in affluence, but I have always been blessed with food to eat and a roof over my head.

Those are just a few things about me, the Redhead Riter. I invite you to walk this path and share in the experiences of my life (my Soul Map) as I impart them to you, one day at a time...living every moment.


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Shoe Pathetic

No style?

I believe in style and comfort in my shoes, however, if I have to choose between one or the other, comfort wins hands down.

Unfortunately, I hear about my "lack" of style or "good taste" from sources that will remain anonymous...at least in this posting.

It isn't that I don't like cute shoes, but I am often either unwilling to pay the price for the shoes or I really don't have anywhere I want to wear them.

Let's compare the differences in the shoes I like and the shoes I actually own.

Here are some shoes that I think are cute.

Not bad, huh?


I am also a creature of habit, so I basically wear the same pair of shoes to work every day. I only do that because they match everything and they are so comfortable. I do not wear dresses and skirts to work either or I would definitely have to wear different shoes. So tonight I look at the Sketcher's site and there they are...still there and not that expensive! Maybe I should buy another pair since (dread the thought) the pair I have will eventually wear out. Does that make you cringe?

When I am not working, I like to be comfortable and nothing is more comfortable to me than a pair of sneakers.

Maybe I do need to widen my variety a bit.

For real, though, am I supposed to wear these to work?

I don't think so...

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Flower Tail Pichen

What do you get when you cross a pig, pigeon, chicken and a teenage girl's wild imagination?

Alyssa had to create an imaginary animal for school. I don't remember what the context was of this creation, but I do remember it was for biology. All I have to say is it sure beats dissecting a frog!

Without further adieu...The Flower Tail Pichen


And there is the "flower" on the "tail"...LOL

Compared to this creature, I KNOW now that I NEVER had a vivid imagination. Yep, I'm a nerd.

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Gotta Love The Gown

Germs.

Alyssa lost the battle against them this weekend.

It doesn't matter how old she gets, when she is sick I still feel helpless.

I found the secret hiding place for the beautiful gowns if you ever need one.


Just look under the bed to choose the pattern you like the most. I can't hardly hold myself back! Tweet

Strawberry Fields

After obtaining the "cute" stamps on our hands and with baskets in tow, we began our strawberry adventure today.

The sweet fragrance of the strawberry fields engulfed us as we rounded the bend. Nestled amongst the trees are beautiful, rich green leafed plants covered with bright red, juicy berries.

Row after straight, clean row there were strawberries. The production method used for this strawberry field is the plasticulture system. The rows are long beds that have been fumigated and covered with plastic to prevent weeds from growing and the ground from eroding. Under the rows there is irrigation tubing and between the rows there is a whole bunch of hay.

The little white flowers with yellow centers are all over the plants.

The plants are full of fruit that is hanging and drooping. Some berries are totally ripe and red all the way through while others are still green. There isn't much time left before "strawberry season" is over.

It is easy to see the scarlet fruit peeking from behind the green leaves.

I guess we are not cut out to be real farm girls because by the time we had picked about a box and a half of strawberries, we were both exhausted.

We are just a couple of city girls with country girl hearts! ♥ ♥

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The Real Red Is Rare

What do all these crayons have in common?

That's right. They are are all red.

But what about these crayons?

Hmmmm.

I have been the proverbial red-orange crayon. I was born with FLAMING red hair. I was complimented by adults and persecuted by my peers. According to RHCP, there are sixteen different "red" hair colors:

1. metallic
   
2. copper or cupric
   
3. ruddy
   
4. brownish
   
5. strawberry
   
6. fawny
   
7. sandy
   
8. flaming
   
9. orange
   
10. ginger
    
11. golden
    
12. yellow
    
13. straw
    
14. cinnamon
    
15. rust
    
16. carrot

Don't let me lose you because this gets really interesting. Besides, this is REALLY about ME, so be polite and show a little interest (grin). Appealing to my left brain, here is a plotting or mapping of the red hair color.

Do you know one reason why that is truly fascinating? I'm going to tell you. I'm sure that is shocking. (I'm in a funny mood)

Approximately only 1% to 2% of the world's human population has red hair! People with red hair often also have fair skin color, freckles and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. There is a gene called the MC1R that is found on chromosome 16 which is the basis of red hair. This means also that melanin is lower in people with red hair, thus their inability to "tan" and the higher prevalence of skin cancer. That is why I wear sunblock 75 during the summer. Did you even know that they make sunblock 75? Ridiculous isn't it!

So the mutated MC1R cell also does something else that redheads in general do not like to hear, but here goes...The "mutation" in the cell causes the release of the hormone that stimulates these cells and it in turn stimulates the part of the brain responsible for "pain" and the sensitivity to pain. Ugh. That was hard to type! The positive is that everyone in my family who laughs at me because I act like a lunatic when I get hurt, needs to apologize. OBVIOUSLY my pain is REAL and I REALLY CAN'T HELP THAT I HURT AND LOOK LIKE A WIMP. Wow! This is getting me all worked up!

Here are a few facts:

• Contrary to popular belief, red hair is not going to become extinct in the near future. Because of the recessive aspect of the gene, it will be in existence for a long time.
  
• That same recessive aspect means that even if both people do not have red hair, they can still have a redheaded child. This was the case with my parents...both had brown hair. I had a couple grandmothers who had red hair.
  
• All redheads do not have a "fiery" temper. I did. (No comments from my family) I did not like the lack of control that I felt when I became angry, so I purposely worked to improve this trait in myself. I CHANGED! I do not get angry three times a day just "because" as I did in the past. People who know me now can not imagine me ever getting mad. I would say with that statement, I can claim to have successfully killed off the demon of ugly, fiery temper which is now buried. May it ever rest in peace...that was really funny.
  
• Redheads have been worshipped in some time periods and murdered during other eras. Strange how we can be upheld like angels and Gods and yet not soon after, burned like witches, vampires and demons. To set the record straight we are not any of the above although the mystery behind people with red hair is ever present.
  
• Carrot tops are GREEN. Have you ever pulled a carrot out of the garden? Before you pulled it out of the dirt, what color did you see? It was GREEN. You saw leaves. Duh! When we are children, we do not like all those names you think are cute. So if you have a redheaded child, please realize that we have a rough time at school and our peers see us as the perfect target for the brunt of all their bullying. Now that I'm grown, I just love my red hair. It adds to my quirkiness and uniqueness.

The other person in my family who has red hair is my niece, Brittany. I wanted to attach a picture of my hair compared to her hair. As you can see below, they appear to be almost identical in color. My hair is on the left and Brittany's is on the right. Phenomenal.

So compare that with my daughter's blond hair. Talk about contrasting colors!

Did you learn anything? I left out the part that redheads are the kindest, most sincere, highly intelligent, extraordinarily talented people on Earth. Oh come on, don't you believe me?!

So the next time you lose a redheaded friend or family member in a crowd, just stand on something tall and I'm sure you'll spot them quickly. See? There ARE advantages to having red hair!

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