The Truth About Parenting

I'd like to address a pet peeve of mine. Women who talk about parenting like it's the most natural, easiest, wonderful job in the world and every woman should do it.

Many would like you to believe that parenting is the most wonderful job a woman can ever have or that a woman's natural instincts make it easier. Well, maybe in la la land this is true and for women who's ideal job is working for needy person who on occasion yells, screams, and say they hate you. Oh, did I mention the pay and benefits? Well ... there is none. Nada. And if you want a day off, guess what? You have to pay someone else to cover for you.

Yes, there are many wonderful moments that a child can give you. If you are lucky to have a child who is naturally easy going then you will have many more with little effort. On the other hand with children with difficult personalities and strong wills; these moments will be a bit less until you get a hang of it and become a parenting pro.

Still, all the screams, tantrums, messes, and yelling they don't like you . . . oh yes, it will happen and it will hurt you more than anything else. But those smiles, laughs, kisses, I love yous, and cuddles make it all worth it. But still, you will have more days where you collapse on the bed exhausted.

So ladies, please! Don't fall into the trap of needing to explain how wonderful having children is to those with out kids. I know that there is tremendous pressure to look like the the perfect mommy but by not tell the hard ugly truth, we are doing a disservice to other women.

Instead, give them a reality check. They are expensive from before the time they're born to after they graduate high school. A good nights sleep will be a thing of the past and by the time that do start sleeping through the night they'll be waking up early to start school.

They are messy! And I don't mean college dorm room messy. I mean poop on the walls messy (if you're lucky their fascination with poop will be short).

Every heard of the terrible twos? Well it actually doesn't stop there. Studies have actually show that you can predict how a kid will be as a teenager by how they acted when they were two years old. Wonderful, right?

And privacy ... you'll eventually forget what even means.

So please ladies, the next time a women with no kids asks what it's like having kids . . . tell the truth. Because there is nothing easy about being a mother. It takes blood, sweat, and tears from start to finish; but in the end you can sit back and look at the amazing person created out of it all and know that they are truly a part of you and the love they have for you truly unquestionable.




Let's face it, it takes a strong woman to be a good mother and if you can't handle the worst of it, you'll never truly be able to enjoy the very best that comes from being a mother.





Sorry for this little rant but I just don't like it when some women act like having a kid is a cure all for anything and you are not complete with out one. No one likes to say it but some women should not have children. My own mother was one and I suffered greatly from it, I still am. I am glad that I am alive but considering how suicidal I used to be as a child because of my mother, it is rather surprising that I am actually still alive.

With so much poverty and child abuse going on we should be encouraging women to think twice about bringing a life into the world and encourage the use of birth control. Not every women is meant to be a mother just because she has a vagina. I'm all for family planning. Things such as the Plan B and The Pill should be widely accepted. It lowers the need for abortions and teen pregnancies.  It helps couples make sure that their ready. It helps women take control of their own life!

I know you ladies and gentlemen all love your kids, but be honest when someone asks about parenting. It's hard! And give them a question back too, 'Are you sure you're ready?'

Bucket List: Top 100 Movies

So, another one on my list is to see the top 100 movies of all time. For this I am using IMDb Top 250 list.
I plan on re-watching them and I'll give my rating right next to it.



So here are IMDb's Top 250 Movies (as of September 2012):

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) 5/5

2. The Godfather (1972) 4/5

3. The Godfather: Part II (1974) 5/5

4. Pulp Fiction (1994) 5/5

5. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) 5/5

6. 12 Angry Men (1957) 5/5

7. Schindler's List (1993) 5/5

8. The Dark Knight (2008) 5/5

9. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

10. Fight Club (1999) 5/5

11. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 4/5

12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) 4/5

13. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) 5/5

14. Inception (2010) 4/5

15. Goodfellas (1990) 4/5

16. Star Wars (1977) 5/5

17. Seven Samurai (1954) 5/5

18. The Matrix (1999) 5/5

19. City of God (2002) 5/5

20. Forrest Gump (1994) 5/5

21.  Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) 2/5

22. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) 4/5

23. Casablanca (1942) 2/5

24. Se7en (1995) 5/5

25. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 5/5

26. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) 5/5

27.The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 5/5

28. The Usual Suspects (1995) 4/5

29. Rear Window (1954) 5/5

30.  Psycho (1960) 5/5

31. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

32. Léon: The Professional (1994)

33. Sunset Blvd. (1950) 5/5

34. Memento (2000) 5/5

35. American History X (1998) 5/5

36. Apocalypse Now (1979) 5/5

37. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) 5/5

38. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) 5/5

39. Saving Private Ryan (1998) 5/5

40. North by Northwest (1959) 4/5

41. Alien (1979) 5/5

42. City Lights (1931)

43. Spirited Away (2001)

44. Citizen Kane (1941) 5/5

45.  The Shining (1980) 5/5

46. Modern Times (1936) 5/5

47. American Beauty (1999) 5/5

48. Taxi Driver (1976) 3/5

49. Vertigo (1958) 5/5

50. Toy Story 3 (2010) Rating 5/5

51. The Departed (2006)  5/5

52. The Pianist (2002) 5/5

53. Back to the Future (1985) 5/5

54. M (1931) 5/5

55. Paths of Glory (1957) 5/5

56. Double Indemnity (1944) 4/5

57. Aliens (1986) 4/5

58. Life Is Beautiful (1997) 5/5 (this should be much higher on the list!)

59. WALL·E (2008) 5/5

60. The Lives of Others (2006) 5/5

61. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

62. Amélie (2001) 3/5

63. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) 4/5

64.  Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 5/5

65. Gladiator (2000) 4/5

66. The Green Mile (1999) 5/5

67. The Prestige (2006) 5/5

68. Reservoir Dogs (1992) 5/5

69.  The Great Dictator (1940) 5/5

70. Das Boot (1981)

71. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

72. The Third Man (1949) 3/5

73. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

74. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) 4/5

75.  The Intouchables (2011)

76. Chinatown (1974) 4/5

77. Cinema Paradiso (1988)

78.  L.A. Confidential (1997) 5/5

79. Once Upon a Time in America (1984) 4/5

80. Full Metal Jacket (1987) 5/5

81. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) 3/5

82. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) 5/5

83. The Lion King (1994) 5/5

84. Braveheart (1995) 5/5

85. Some Like It Hot (1959) 4/5

86. Singin' in the Rain (1952) 5/5

87. Oldboy (2003) 5/5

88. Amadeus (1984) 5/5

89.  Metropolis (1927) 5/5

90. Rashomon (1950)

91. Bicycle Thieves (1948)

92. All About Eve (1950)

93. The Avengers (2012) 5/5

94. Unforgiven (1992) 5/5

95. The Apartment (1960) 5/5

96. Raging Bull (1980) 3/5

97. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

98. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) 4/5

99. The Sting (1973) 2/5

100. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) 5/5

101. Princess Mononoke (1997)

102. A Separation (2011) 5/5

103. Die Hard (1988) 4/5

104. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

105. Downfall (2004)

106. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

107. Batman Begins (2005) 4/5

108. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) 4/5

109. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

110. The Great Escape (1963) 4/5

111. Inglourious Basterds (2009) 5/5

112. Yojimbo (1961)

113. Up (2009) 5/5

114. For a Few Dollars More (1965) 5/5

115. Snatch. (2000) 4/5

116. The Elephant Man (1980) 4/5

117. On the Waterfront (1954) 3/5

118. The Seventh Seal (1957) 3/5

119. The Maltese Falcon (1941) 3/5

120. Heat (1995) 4/5

121. Gran Torino (2008) 5/5

122. Toy Story (1995) 5/5

123. Rebecca (1940) 4/5

124. The General (1926)

125. Blade Runner (1982)

126. Wild Strawberries (1957)

127. Fargo (1996) 4/5

128. Touch of Evil (1958)

129. The Big Lebowski (1998)

130. The Kid (1921)

131. Scarface (1983) 4/5

132. Ran (1985)

133. Cool Hand Luke (1967) 4/5

134. The Deer Hunter (1978)

135. Sin City (2005)

136. Strangers on a Train (1951) 5/5

137. The Gold Rush (1925)  5/5

138. Jaws (1975) 5/5

139. No Country for Old Men (2007) 4/5

140. It Happened One Night (1934) 4/5

141. Hotel Rwanda (2004)

142. High Noon (1952)

143. The Sixth Sense (1999) 5/5

144. Platoon (1986) 5/5

145. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) 4/5

146. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

147. The Thing (1982) 5/5

148. The Wizard of Oz (1939) 5/5

149. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) 5/5

150. Trainspotting (1996)

151. Notorious (1946) 2/5

152. Annie Hall (1977) 4/5

153. Casino (1995) 5/5

154. Warrior (2011/I)

155. The King's Speech (2010) 3/5

156. The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) 5/5

157. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

158. Gone with the Wind (1939) 5/5

159. Into the Wild (2007)

160. Black Swan (2010)

161. Good Will Hunting (1997) 5/5

162. Life of Brian (1979)

163. The Big Sleep (1946) 2/5

164. How to Train Your Dragon (2010) Rating: 5/5

165. Finding Nemo (2003) 5/5

166. V for Vendetta (2005) 5/5

167. Donnie Darko (2001)

168. Network (1976) 4/5

169. Ben-Hur (1959) 5/5

170. The Night of the Hunter (1955) 4/5

171. The Terminator (1984) 4/5

172. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

173. Million Dollar Baby (2004) 5/5

174. Dial M for Murder (1954) 4/5

175. Stand by Me (1986) 4/5

176. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) 5/5

177. There Will Be Blood (2007)

178. Groundhog Day (1993) 5/5

179. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

180. The Artist (2011/I) 

181. Twelve Monkeys (1995) 5/5

182. Amores Perros (2000)

183. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) 3/5

184. The Graduate (1967) 

185. Mary and Max (2009) 5/5

186. Gandhi (1982) 4/5

187. The 400 Blows (1959)

188. The Killing (1956)

189. Persona (1966)

190. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) 5/5

191.  8½ (1963)

192. The Princess Bride (1987) 3/5

193. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) 5/5

194. Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 

195. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) 4/5

196. La Strada (1954)

197. The Hustler (1961) 3/5

198. The Wild Bunch (1969)

199. Stalag 17 (1953) 5/5

200. Rocky (1976) 5/5

201. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) 4/5

202. District 9 (2009)

203. The Exorcist (1973)

204. A Beautiful Mind (2001) 5/5

205. Rope (1948)

206. Barry Lyndon (1975) 

207. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) 4/5

208. Stalker (1979) 

209. Ratatouille (2007)

210. Roman Holiday (1953) 5/5

211. Infernal Affairs (2002)

212. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) 5/5

213. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) 

214. The Truman Show (1998) 

215. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) 

216.  Ip Man (2008) 

217. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

218. The Wrestler (2008)

219. Star Trek (2009) 5/5

220. A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

221. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

222. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

223. Harvey (1950) 

224. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

225. Bringing Up Baby (1938)

226. In the Name of the Father (1993)

227. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

228. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)

229. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

230. Nosferatu (1922)

231. Manhattan (1979)

232. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring (2003)

233. Rain Man (1988) 5/5

234. La Haine (1995)

235. Mystic River (2003)

236. Shutter Island (2010)

237. Let the Right One In (2008)

238. Big Fish (2003) 4/5

239. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

240.  In the Heat of the Night (1967) 4/5

241.  The Searchers (1956)

242.  Rio Bravo (1959) 

243.  La Dolce Vita (1960) 

244. Castle in the Sky (1986) 

245. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) 5/5

246.  The Untouchables (1987)

247. King Kong (1933)

248.  Papillon (1973)

249.  His Girl Friday (1940) 

250.  Ed Wood (1994)

How To Get Rid of Urine Odor from Carpet

So lately I've had some pee pee trouble. For a multitude of reasons my potty trained 5 year old daughter started to pee in her room. Her reasons ranged from being lazy, upset, and she left a shirt full of food on the bathroom floor that ended up covered in ants so she didn't want to go in there. Mind, we have two bathrooms in the house. Mostly, I think it's because she's upset at me and jealous of her two younger siblings. To top off my pee pee troubles my cat started to pee in her room too. And anyone one who owns a cat knows that cat urine is extremely difficult to get rid of and most commercial products don't nearly work as claimed.

 

 

 

 

So here is how to get rid of urine and the odor from carpet:

 

Since once the pee enters the carpet it actually spreads deep into the padding under neither the carpet so hand held sprays won't work. Both techniques will work for spot treatments, but if you can't pin point the smell then do the entire carpet. I personally use and recommend using both starting with the vinegar first then the baking soda the next day.

 

 

 

Vinegar Mix Cleaner:

 

• In a large bucket mix a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water (boiling hot water is recommend for very stinky carpet.)

• Liberally soak the carpet and let sit for about 10 minutes.

• *Optional* Add any carpet cleaner of you choice (I like to use one with a strong floral smell) using a carpet shampooer. This helps mask the vinegar smell.

• Pick up as much of the mixture as you can with either a carpet shampooer or a wet/dry shop vac.

• Let the room air out. Once the carpet is dry the vinegar smell will go away.

 

 

 

Baking Soda/ Hydrogen Peroxide Mix

 

• Spread baking soda over the entire carpet generously. Break up any clumps by hand and sprinkle over the floor.

 

• Work into fibers with a cleaning brush

 

• Let it sit over night.

 

• Mix 1 teaspoon dish soap (non-bleach) for every 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide

 

• Spray or pour over baking soda (you don't need to soak the carpet like with the vinegar mix)

 

• Work it into the carpet using a cleaning brush or toothbrush.

 

• Let it completely dry

 

• Vacuum it up with the upholstery attachment.

 

• *Optional* After I like to spray a light layer of Fabreez for a nice floral sent.

*Warning!* I have no idea why but if you have a roach problem (even a mild one) they might be attracted to the baking soda & hydrogen peroxide mix. So spray the out side of the house completely with a roach repellent so they don't get in. I don't know if it was a one time thing but this did happen once to me when I left a window open over night (I actually saw them crawling through the window to get in!) However, this never before or after. Maybe the neighbors were fumigating? I don't know but I though I should warn you anyway.

 

 

 

Using this really helped. My daughter's room smelled really bad since she would pee at different spots and not say anything. The cat didn't help either.

 

I recommend buying the vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide in bulk at either Sam's Club, Costco, or Smart & Final (this one doesn't require membership).

Bucket List: Top 100 Books

One of the things on my bucket list was to read the top 100 books of all time (once I'm done I might shoot for the 1,000 list). There are a lot of lists out there around the internet but I narrowed it down to two different lists that don't have a lot of the same books. The TIME Entertainment Magazines top 100 and theguardian's top 100 books of all time. The TIME list is a little limited since they restrict the books that have been written since the magazine first started publishing and theguardian's list include many true 'classics' such as Gilgamesh and The Ilaid which were written long before the printing press was invented. All around I think the two lists give a well rounded list of books.

Here are the books that I have read so far.


TIME Entertainment Magazine's Top 100 Books

Vanessa's bookshelf: time-mag-top-100

To Kill a Mockingbird

by Harper Lee

tagged: historical-fiction and time-mag-top-100

Gone with the Wind

by Margaret Mitchell

tagged: historical-fiction, all-time-fav-books, and time-mag-top-100

theguardian's Top 100 Books of All Time

Vanessa's bookshelf: the-guardian-top-100

How to Check The Crime Rate In an Area Before Moving

I plan on moving next year and I thought I'd share these links with you guys.

http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Las_Vegas-Nevada/crime/

At Trulia they let you see recent crime reports and a general color coded map showing the crime rate for a city. The link above shows Las Vegas, NV but you can change it by typing in the city and state of your choice in the top left search bar. Being that I have been to Vegas (outside the strip) more times than I can count and know many people who live there I'd say that it is fairly accurate. I also tested it to see my local area and surrounding cities and it shows a fair amount accuracy.


There are also online websites that show where registered sex offenders live in an area. For an accurate map google 'regestered sex offenders' and include the state you live in or the state you are moving too. There is also a website called http://www.familywatchdog.us/ that offers the same information for different states, however, I am not completely sure how accurate it is or how often it is updated but when comparing it to the official California one it had all the same information. Many of the sites have a similar system where you can look at the map an click on the color squares (or dots) to see a picture of the sex offender. The ones I have checked allow to search by general location, specific address and name.

Why People Hate Twilight and Parents Should Worry About Their Kids Reading the Twilight Saga

Okay I feel the need to write this as part disclaimer, discussion and warning. I will admit that I do dislike the Twilight books, however, I really do like the general idea of the books. My dislike of the books is out of personal preference (I have read all of them). However, I at times, like many others hate the books.



I want to explain why and point out that a lot of the hate isn’t even about the book itself but rather the publisher and certain Twilight fans.


Most of you reading are reasonable and intelligent people who understand that fiction and personal fantasy don’t and at times shouldn’t be applied to the real world. Many of you may also be writers or reading enthusiasts and realize that not everything in fiction will be ‘good’ in a moral sense but still might be expressed it that way because it’s fiction. However, many others do not and this is where the ‘haters,’ ‘bashers,’ and ‘anti-Twilighters’ come in.


Bella forfeits her life by basically becoming a robot after Edward leaves. She cannot properly function or live with out Edward. In the books (including Midnight Sun) both Edward and Bella just shuffled through life and didn't start 'living' until they met each other and now cannot adjust to life with out each other. In fantasy many see this as ‘true love’ or ‘romantic’ but in reality this is co-dependency and not ok. Many of you readers wouldn’t stop living your life just because an ex dumped you. Yes any one would go through a period of depression but eventually move on. However, some actually think that if you do not act like Bella did in Eclipse that it wasn’t real love. This is a scary thought that people actually think that way. I know I may get people who disagree but in Eclipse Bella was trying to commit suicide. Just because she lived doesn't change the fact that dying was the point. I thought it would be obvious but I guess not. When she jumped off the cliff she wasn't trying to get a 'rush' she was trying to kill herself because Edward didn't want her.

Picture a guy that you don’t have romantic feelings for trying to force himself on you and try to manipulate you into breaking up with someone you love. Then he tells you that since you don’t love him he is going to kill himself. This in short describes Jacob. What Jacob did in the book in real life would be considered sexual assault as well as abusive both mentally and physically. It’s okay to fantasize or like Jacob. The situation can be considered or passed off as ‘he loves her.’ But most of you wouldn’t put up with an abusive guy or girl who forced you to kiss them and avidly try to destroy your relationship. However, some actually think that type of behavior is acceptable in real life.


Imagine that your boyfriend/girlfriend began to stalk you and told you that you couldn’t see your friend anymore because they think that person is safe. He/she begins to try to control who you see by going as far as sabotage. This same person also makes it a point to control other aspects of your life to the point of physical force. This is Edward. In the fictional and personal fantasy sense it is okay to like this. But would you really let a guy/girl control you like that in the real world? To follow you everywhere? Some people actually think that what Edward did is acceptable and actually wish that they could be in Bella’s shoes. In reality if Edward and Bella was a real couple they would show ALL the signs of domestic violence. Love or hate Edward you have to admit that not everything he did was right and the bottom line is that he is a fictional character. However, there are people who want a guy to treat them the way Edward treated Bella in real life or else it isn’t real love.


Many people hate Twilight because some readers actually take the book seriously and apply it to real life. Even the author stresses that Bella, Edward, & Jacob’s life and actions can’t and don’t correlate into the real world or real situations or even be realistic because they are fictional. She even states that Edward doesn’t even have human emotions or thoughts anymore. Many who love Twilight always tell haters that ‘it’s just a book!’ And you guys are a 100% right! But like I have repeatedly said some take the book seriously and that is why people hate the book so passionately.

There was even a girl in Washington who jumped off a cliff because Bella did it in the book while another woman cried and complained that her husband was nothing like Edward Cullen. Some men have complained that it has ruined their relationships because their wives want them to act abusively (because that is what it is) and aren't comfortable with it. Oh but the list goes on ... and on ...

Some twilight fans have gone as far as trying to kill people who don't like the book including shooting at them with a flare gun, beating people with a bat, and even attempting to slit someones throat in school.

From pre-teens to grown women have become so addicted to Twilight that it has caused real problems in their life.

Many try to spread hate by encouraging other online to harass those who did not like or hate the books/movie, sometimes even each other (team Edward/team Jacob), and now (I've seen this stuff happen personally) attacking Harry Potter fans. Here are some entertaining videos of people talking about these Twilight attacks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvOTrCv63Vk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeNeu1VZKAA&feature=related

There has been a lot of attacks ranging from small to felony worthy attacks.





Here are some real quotes form discussion forums. I won’t post where or who wrote these. Try to take away the supernatural and Twilight perspective and you’ll see how scary these posts are. Please note that these quotes are applying fiction situations to real life.

“I think some people are just jealous of what Edward and Bells have!” I think these two responses to the above says it all – “Plenty of women send love letters to serial killers in prisons across the world. It speaks volumes.” “Yeah, you're right, everyone is jealous when they don't have an unbalanced, fatalistic and completely dependent relationship of their own to tear down their mental psyche. I know I am.”


“I do think the concept and depth of Bella and Edward's love is real and people do find [it] and want to have that kind of relationship. Some people say Edward is a creeper but I disagree.”

“People hate Twilight because they don’t know the meaning of love. The book is the exact meaning of why and what love is and trust me all the book have [real] love between Edward and Bella!”


“I think every girl deserves an Edward and a Jacob. If only, hey?”


“It’s not sick or abusive. Yes, Edward's actions taken out of context could be called stalker, scary, dangerous, etc. But here's the thing, Bella loves him. She likes the danger, the over-protectiveness, the volatile relationship, the over-intensity of it all. Some women like that, some things are not black and white. There are several different kinds of attractions out there and one women's abuse may be another person's romance.” (bold emphasis is mine.)

“I wish that I had a guy like Edward who would love me so much that he would stalk me and worry about who my friends are.”




Nobody in their right mind would support domestic violence or sexual assault but these people are and defend it to the point it is scary. The discussion threads started innocently by someone asking why people hate Twilight. Some on this thread have actually gone through and flagged every reasonable post that describes why they don’t like book and point out the character’s faults and abusive tendencies. They post almost everyday trying to discredit people and actually quote google (I kid you not) on how Bella, Edward, and Jacob are not clingy, abusive, co-dependant, ect. Apparently psychology and dysfunction is so easy that google can give you the answer in one page. Anyone who has taken psychology classes or at least interested in it knows how absolutely ridicules that is. Several actually avidly defend Bella by saying she ‘never whines’ in the books. Really? Even google should be able to properly define whining.

Again, many realize it’s just a book. People hate the book because many crazy girls don’t understand that. This also upsets people because a publisher of books aimed at children and teens should be held to a higher standard and not let a book that contains abusive relationships in a positive light be published through them. And the haters are right. Twilight should have been published as an adult book. It seems that as long as the main character is a teenager that the book is automatic a ‘teen’ book.
But like most fans, here is a quote from a TRUE fan who is able to enjoy the book the way it was supposed to be, as fiction:

“I am a HUGE fan of Twilight! [...] But this doesn't mean I am blind to the flaws in the characters or the possibilities for improvement. I can see the point in other people arguments. I also agree that Bella is not a great character. She has many flaws as being unhealthily dependable on Edward. Edward himself is kind or creepy as well. But, to me, I can avoid it because it's such a romantic story (well in my head it is). I love the fact that Bella and Edward seemed so doomed because of every little thing but the put through. I also love it because of the love they share. Those [two] people, Edward and Bella, seem and are so in love they would do anything for each other.”




And don't get me started on imprinting ...

*SPOILER*



Lets just say that Jacob imprints on baby Rennesme and claims it's not romantic, however, givers her a tribal marriage bracelet that is the same as a promise ring when she is only a few months old (physically 7 years old; she has accelerated growth). He claims to not have romantic feelings but already plans on marrying her. She is what in the real world would be considered a child bride and what Jacob is doing is considered child grooming, a form of pedophilia. There are also many fans who so see nothing wrong with this either.



*END OF SPOILER*


Here is one pet peeve that I also have against some Twilight fans who argue with 'haters'. One claimed that you have to understand Stephine Meyer, who is Mormon and places a high value to marriage, to understand the relationships in the story. Namely Edward/Bella, Jacob/Rennesme, and Quil/Clair.
Really?
This was from one poster, so I hope to God that people don't think that the average Mormon would approve of the type of relationships in these books. Yes, they have gotten a bad rap from a few polygamous and generally just plain crazy people but every Mormon that I have known personally have been caring, intelligent, family people who wouldn't condone abusive relationships. Just to clear the air Mormons are not weird, freaks, or a scary cult.


So as a warning to parents who have kids that have read or want to read the Twilight books talk to them about domestic violence! Tell them how Jacob and Edward act in the books are NOT acceptable in real life. And here is why:


"1 in 3 teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited; February 2005.)



1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited; February 2005.)


More than 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship (26%) report enduring repeated verbal abuse. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited; February 2005.)


Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited; February 2005.)


Of the women between the ages 15-19 murdered each year, 30% are killed by their husband or boyfriend. (City of New York, Teen Relationship Abuse Fact Sheet, March 1998)


Less than 25% of teens say they have discussed dating violence with their parents. (Liz Claiborne Inc. study of teens 13-17 conducted by Applied Research and Consulting LLC, Spring 2000)

Teens report dating abuse via technology is a serious problem

* 71% of teens regard boyfriends/girlfriends spreading rumors about them on cellphones and social networking sites as a serious problem.

* 68% of teens say boyfriends/girlfriends sharing private or embarrassing pictures/videos on cell phones and computers is a serious problem.

Cell phone calls and texting at unimaginable frequency mean constant control day and night

* Nearly one in four teens in a relationship (24%) communicated with their partner via cellphone or texting HOURLY between midnight and 5:00am.

* One in three teens (30%) say they are text messaged 10, 20, 30 times an hour by a partner inquiring where they are, what they're doing, or who they're with. " ~ T.E.A.R. Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships




Abuse is a serious problem among young girls and shouldn't be taken lightly and the publisher of the Twilight books should have known better. Since even before mass publishing, books have spread ideas and help bring about cultural change. Don't underestimate the power of the written word.


There are also many other problems with the book including bad grammar, word usage, characterizing, just plain not researching, not being consistent, ect. The list really does go on. Since I really would like to end this post on a somewhat positive note I'll share this link with you: http://das-sporking.livejournal.com/77053.html  it really is very funny and rips at all the mistakes, oddities, and totally unrealistic moments in Twilight. If you haven't read twilight I suggest reading this instead. It is much more entertaining. (They also do funny reviews and 'sporking' on Eclipse, New Moon, 50 Shades of Grey as well as Midnight Sun.)

One Magic Square book Review

One Magic Square: The Easy, Organic Way to Grow Your Own Food on a 3-Foot Square by Lolo Houbein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Over all this was a great all around gardening book. It covers the basics of soil prep, watering, pests, crop rotation, pruning, problem solving, ect.

A beginner will need to read Part 1 and Part 2 in full before starting. Anyone with some gardening experience can jump ahead where the author suggests to do so.

Even people with gardening experience will get a lot from this book. I believe that this really is a 'must have.' It is informative enough for the average gardener but simple enough to understand for anyone who is completely new. The reason I suggest to actually buy this book rather than borrow it from the library is that nearly half the book is devoted to plot designs with companion gardening to how to grow and take care of different types of fruit and vegetables. Not only is this book informative it is also a great reference book with entire section devoted to plot plans and descriptions of plants. As a bonus the book uses all organic methods and even some interesting cooking ideas.

View all my reviews