The bubble dilemma

I've come to an age where I'm realizing I have lived in a complete bubble for 30 years. I had 'heard' about things...but when it comes right down to it I closed my eyes...or something, never thought it really happened... Very recently I have been introduced to a whole new life, that I didn't even think people really did. But they do...it is very real and maybe, from a perspective of a very niave person, a little bit interesting. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to move out of my bubble...not even for 10 seconds, but I find different things, ideas, ways of life just so interesting.

Since I turned 30...and felt rather old...I decided that I would jump out of my comfort zone at least 1 time every month during the year...In doing so, I have seen the difference in this huge world. Things that make me happy and alive can and are so meaningless to someone else. Hence, probably why there is such a difference of opionion...Maybe, if we would all see that other people are different, instead of wrong...this whole huge world would rotate just a little smoother. But I digress...I'm happy that I've been introduced and know and learn from these people who are choosing to live, for one reason or another, to be just a little different, yet exciting and happy...But in the end they are so much the same...just trying to get through each and every day with as little drama as possible! And like I've been told, if you aren't going to try and make yourself happy...then who is going to make sure that you are happy? I applaud these people that have gone against the grain and have choosen happiness!

Now with the dilemma...Since I'm 30 and have been perfectly content to live in my bubble should I continue to shelter my kids and encourage them to live in their bubble...or should I expose them at a young age so when they are 30 they aren't having these same revalations? Maybe it is all ok...to wait until you are older...you have established life with yourself and who you want to be; so when different ideas are passed along your horizon you aren't as judgemental, or impressionable! And it isn't like this is a life altering situation, merely just revelations. To be honest, life in suburbia living the 'american dream' isn't so bad, in fact I kinda like it! So...for now at least...my kids will continue on with the bubble! I may be revisiting this topic again when my kids grow a little and come home with questions I'm just not ready to answer...or maybe then I'll just roll with the situation and continue with my bubble...

Headlines...

Recently I've become a bit of a cynic I guess. But having learned the grassroots of newspaper and the power of a Headline at a young age I'm still having a hard time processing what I read and I'm still in huge disbelief that even half of this stuff gets published. The really sad part about this whole deal, I probably read the same headline 48 times before I really thought about it. No, I still didn't read the article which is the purpose right? The headline said 'Tiger's wife may file for divorce.' Really? This is newsworthy? It is like saying that Sandra Bullock may file for divorce, or I may jump out of an airplane or Charles Barkley may run through a pile of snakes. They 'may' do all these things or they 'may not' so where is the news or where is the article even going to lead me? And I can't believe that there are really people out there that care!

I guess where I'm going, is some freelance writer had a block and everyone knows if you put Tiger's name in a headline it must be news...so we won't lie, we just won't tell anything new, but I'll still fulfill some end of a contract or whatever...

Regardless a headline is supposed to summarize the article in a very inviting 'read me' type manner and this particular headline did nothing but make me laugh! 'Tiger's wife may file for divorce' just like every other celebrity couple out there, right? Perhaps this is part of the reason that paper media is becoming a thing of the past!

You see something new everyday!

So, I thought I had seen it all when it comes to Brooke getting different...illnesses, we will call it. We've been through all the standard ear infections and strep throat, the flu, even pnemonia...But this one, it was just plain wierd...She is playing outside with Tyler, while we hold an adult conversation with the neighbors. Next thing I know, Brooke is calling for help...Turns out, she threw up, in the bathroom...everything is good. However, I noticed her ear is bright red, a little swollen and she says painful...Should I be concerned yet? I feed her dinner (which she eats fine) put the kids to bed thinking everything would be fine in the morning, maybe she just bonked into something (she is only 7 you know).

Next morning rolls around and now there are blisters on top of the bright red, but she says it doesn't hurt anymore. So if I take her to the doctor, for something she is saying doesn't hurt, are they going to make the situation that much worse? I think I'll just keep her and watch how things progress...Well...apparantly the blisters did their job...the skin peels away, the swelling is almost gone and now the ear is just red...with no pain...

All in all I'm happy to report that Brooke is good to go...

These are things, that when you are thinking of having kids...no one ever tells you!