Just try.....!

Why?  Why do I have to defend so many things that are important to me?

I understand that a lot of my beliefs/loves/passions are not common....even strange to some.  But nothing that I do/believe is evil, illegal, immoral, and most the time, not even fattening (I'm on a diet)!

I'm Mormon, I'm a proud Conservative, I have a deep craving for all things animal and I just joined this crazy business called AdvoCare (a multi-level business, no less!!--gasp!).  Every one of these things are NOT ok to MANY people!  Just google it if you don't believe me!  (ok, maybe you can't google the animal one, but still, I have to defend myself more often then I care to on that one!....see my previous post on animals.)

In times of trial on these things, I try to think about Jesus.  His beliefs were less than popular also.  Am I comparing myself to Jesus?  Well, yes, I guess I am.  I'm told to walk in His footsteps....I'm told to be perfect like Him....I'm told to follow His way and obey His commandments.  I'm a stanch Christian (yes I am....just TRY to say I'm not....one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, by the way), so I do try to do these things.  Imperfect I am, but every year I can see improvement!  :)

Ok, so back to the point......  Not long ago, a friend on Facebook complained that so many people are haters.  I have to agree with him.  Not so much to my face, I've noticed, but to my beliefs.  Right now I'm trying to defend a point about my religion on a FB post.  Jeez.....just let it be!  No matter what you say, you won't change my mind!  And I know I won't change yours, so let it be!!!  You go on and be happy knowing I'm wrong and I'll go on happy knowing I'm right.....agree to disagree.  The problem is, not many want to let it be.  At that point I just say, "ok....you're right, I'm goin' to hell.....thanks for the warning" and walk away.   Thank heavens I believe in a much more loving God than they do....I won't be going to hell, and neither will they.

Another hot subject.....multi-level marketing:  Amway!  My first love!  I fell in love with MLM quite a few years ago when I was introduced to Amway from some friends when we lived in Washington.  The products were ok, but it was the plan that pumped my vibes!  I GOT IT!--I mean, residual income is, like, magic!  Those who also "got it" understand what I'm saying.  I found out quickly that most people think MLM companies are scams and pyramids.  Well, most aren't.  Hard to hide a pyramid scheme that big or that old.  So, because people think they are scams or don't work, they scoff at it.... disregard it.  Not much I can do about it....try explaining and it's just no use....just like religion!  It IS a great way to make money....lots of it!  But it ended up being too much of a chore to convince people of that and we quit before we could get off the ground.  I've been dreaming of Amway ever since.....  Just a dream, though.  Jump forward 15+ years.....some good friends of ours invite us to a business opportunity meeting.  Ok, sure.   I found out right away it was a health and nutrition company called AdvoCare.  But when they started talking about the pay structure, it sure was sounding familiar.....like Amway! and that excitement I remembered so long ago came back.  Dreaming was once again given root!  I knew right away I was going to do it!  And I won't quit this time because I had a stronger drive and more knowledge and maturity to back it!   Five months into it....yep, still have to convince people it's a good thing.  Still have people avoiding us, thinking we're gonna try to hog tie them until they buy something.  *sigh*  It's ok.....we'll find enough people, eventually, who "get it", and together we're all gonna do great things!

Politics:  Being Conservative is kinda hard to admit and talk about sometimes.  Not because I'm ashamed of it, but because I don't want to be driven to some deep discussion on politics.  I'm not that into it to be able to talk intelligently about it.  So I avoid it.  I'm conservative because I think it's the closest to how I think and feel morally.  Period.  See, I'm even having a hard time explaining that!  So, I'm gonna stop there.

In the end, I really am good with my beliefs.  I just don't like having to defend it.  Should I have to?  Can't we just live and let live? (Is that cliche?  lol).  If someone wants to talk to me about it....I mean, a meaningful, intelligent conversation..... then I'll talk their ear off!  Nothing funner than sharing my joys!   And that's just it!  They ARE joys!  All of them!  They help make me happy!  They add spice and fun and give me something to think about, to do, to dream about, look forward to!  But try to convince me I'm crazy and I'll probably agree with you just to avoid an argument.  But just know I'm firm.....so you might as well stop tryin'!

My Biggest Dilemma

I love animals.  To anyone who knows me, this is no surprise.  I've often contemplated why.  I've also wondered what it would be like to be without animals in my life.  I know I'd be a lot less busy!  My house would be in better condition, I'm sure.  I'd have more time for other things that I love, like crafts and my family. 

My husband, as well as others, think I'm crazy.....no one, to my recollection, has ever come out and said those words, but I know that's what they think.  Once in a while Jim hints that they really should go.  Ain't gonna happen.....at least not any time soon.  You're only young for so long....there will come a day when I can't physically handle taking care of them all.  When that happens, then they will go and then we can do other things....you know, old people activities.  I'm not sure what that will entail, but I'm sure it will be fun for us.  ??

I get a kick out of people when they say that they have a dog and a cat and it's so much work and it's hard to go on vacation or any lengthy trip.  lol!  I've had multiple animals for 13 plus years and we've managed to go somewhere almost every year.  We've always been blessed to find people to come and take care of everything.  Usually we can get them to stay at the house.  I like that kind of arrangement.  One year Jim and I went to Hawaii for two weeks and had to find a place for all the kids, too!  But it all worked out and the trip was great!  It's amazing how easy it is to find help when you offer to pay them!

I find my obsession a mystery and hard to explain to people.  It dawned on me, one day, that it's very similar to men and their love for....well, love!  They can't really help it.  They think about it a lot.  And when they don't have it they miss and long to have it!  It's just the same for me:  I can't help it, I think about it a lot and when I didn't have animals (and even when I do!), I do nothing but dream about when I could have a pet again.  The other thing is....I never have enough!  I still long for more!  *sigh*....it's a dilemma, yes it is (right guys?)!

There is great satisfaction in taking care of another creature.  Mothers know this feeling with their children.  It feels good to be needed, and children and animals both fulfill that.  I do appreciate that part!

Sometimes, though, I wish I didn't have any animals--I curse this desire I have:  when I'm tired, have no money to buy feed, have no time........  But the feeling goes away eventually and then I'm happy I have them again.  Unfortunately, this hobby is not the kind you can just walk away from when it's inconvenient.  Animals have to eat and drink...every day!  They have to have their areas cleaned up....often!  You can not NOT buy food just because you don't have the money for it.  I've always been able to buy feed.....not sure why, but they've never gone hungry even though we've had times when we are scraping to feed even ourselves.  I've been very blessed!

Yep, I'm crazy.....I admit it.  But, I can't help it!  I supposed I could just go cold turkey and be without.  I could go see a shrink or some similar person to help me with it.  Nope.....  I figure, if men can have it when it's available, then I should have it, too.

Not sure if that's good logic, but it works for me!.....for now, anyway!

Michelle, my belle......

I wonder how many little girls would have been named Susie, or Sally or Jane if The Beatles had not wrote and sung that song: "Michelle".  I'm glad that song came out a year after I was born, or I may have suffered the same fate.  LOL!  Actually, I think it's a lovely name.  I've had many friends with this name and they hold special places in my heart! 

Let's start with the best:  Michelle V.  I didn't meet her until I was in High School.  She was introduced to me by a mutual friend.  We all loved horses, so it was a great start to a very long friendship.  We had the same view on many things: animals, boys, God.  Our adventures went from many hours horseback riding, to beach trips, to sharing a house for a little while.  From horse/dog/bird/rabbit buying, to working at the same place, to cruising Market St.  We shared dogs, clothes and crushes on the same boys.  We did daring and dangerous things, and things that could be embarrassing if it was to be admitted.  We fought, we had differences of opinions, we cried, but we always made up.  She remained my best friend until I found Jim.  (He has replaced all best friends and remains my best friend ever since....sorry Michelle!  lol)  I'll always treasure my time I spent with her.  Some of my best memories of all time include her and wouldn't trade them for anything!  Thanks Michelle!!!!

Michelle C. was my best friend through most of my Elementary School days.  She lived across the street from me, so it was easy to get together with her.  Like me, she also loved animals.  She got a horse as a Christmas gift from her parents and we had the best time riding him and hanging out at the stables.  We'd spend our days outside on our bikes, in the hills and down at UCR.  She had a younger brother named Michael.  She also had two dogs:  Monique and Midnight.  My dog's name was Mickey.  We where all "M's".  We called ourselves the "M" club.  What fun!  But of all my regrets regarding friends, it was her.  For some reason I got terribly mad at her.  So mad that I cut off our friendship right then and there.  The horrible thing is, I can't even remember what I was so mad about.  I wish I knew....I wish I could talk to her and tell her sorry and tell her how much our friendship meant to me at the time.  We had so much fun together.  We were such a good pair!  Love ya Michelle!

The next most important Michelle was Michelle R.  She's the mother of Chanelle, the girl who lived with us for four years.  Very nice lady.  We spent a lot of time together....so much so, that when she was loosing her apartment and knew she was going to be spending time on the streets, she asked me to take her daughter until she could get on her feet again.  She spent some time living at my house while Jim was here in Oregon and I was needing help at home in California.  She writes wonderful letters to us saying the most nicest things!  I do wish her the best!  She is loved!

Currently I have two Michelles that go to my church.  I admire them both very much.  Michelle F. is RS president of our ward and does a terrific job at it.  She's humble and sweet.  She keeps a very nice home despite having three children that keep her busy.  Michelle J. is also one who is always on the ball.  She has four young children and manages to keep up on her house and her talents (music, art, homemaking!...just to name a few!).  She cans, makes home-made bread and even held a cheese-making class at her house.  Both of these ladies are fine examples of the kind of woman I would like to be.  Love you guys!

Many other Michelles have come in and out of my life from elementary school to the present day...all of them playing a different role in my life, whether a friend, an acquaintance, or someone who was animal or business related.  It's all good!  I love 'em all for who they are even though I don't associate with them any more.

Thank you Beatles!  Without you I would not have had an excuse to do this blog entry and highlight some of the wonderful ladies in my life!!!