I am woman. Hear me yawn...

As you may have known, I have been out of the workforce for several years, due to raising babies and what-not. I LOVED being a stay-at-home-mom, but now that the girls are older I was ready to get out of the house during the day and use what was left of my brain. I could seriously feel myself getting dumber everyday. When I started looking, I was blessed to find a great job at our dentist office. The doctors and staff are amazing and I truly feel like I have been adopted into a second family. The staff consists of 11 women (the poor doctors are the only men) and all of us are mothers. That is so awesome because they all understand that your family comes first. Just yesterday Caty called me at work and said she was locked out of the house. Apparently, the battery on the garage pad had died (PSA - check your garage pad battery often)! Thankfully, I live less than 10 minutes from the office, so the gals covered me while I ran home to let my kids inside. As much as I love having a job and getting my smarts back, I love even more that the fam is finally realizing all that I did when I was 'available' anytime of the day. No longer are the 20 trips a week to the schools to bring forgotten homework or gym uniforms. Gone are the days when I was the first parent in line for pick-up (now Ali is usually the last one there). The Karacia's know that dinner on the table by six is a thing of the past, as is a clean house,  but it's all good! I know I was ready to get back into the workforce. I like feeling that I am contributing something to the bank account. Let's be honest, that is a HEAVY burden to bear on your own, and Ben did it for years without complaint, just so our girls would/could have me around all the time, and for that I will be eternally grateful. I consider it the biggest blessing of my like that I was able to be home with my kids everyday. Who cares if my laundry room now looks like the Dugger's live here! So what if we live on ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwiches because I only make it to the grocery on Fridays (if I'm lucky). I respect and appreciate all the working mothers out there. I had forgotten how hard it was to keep a house, raise kids, and hold a job at the same time. I am so thankful for Ben and the girls for supporting my decision to go back to work. They realized it was something I had to do for my own sanity. Hmmm, now that I think about it, it was probably just a selfish support on their behalf, because you know what they say "if momma is crazy, we're all gonna be crazy". 

Pilates is dangerous...

You know that pain you get when you get snapped by a rubber band? OUCH! Times that by a billion and that is what it felt like when my exercise band broke mid maneuver and smacked me in the face! Pilates is dangerous! I know that there are woman well into their 80's that are reaping the benefits of it, but dangit, I am in pain!
No one has ever accused me of being coordinated. I trip over my own feet...OFTEN. Remember my Facebook post regarding my not-so-graceful face plant because of my pajama pants? Things like that are almost a daily occurrence, but come on. I thought that an exercise that had no swift movements and is mainly  a bunch of core work and stretching was safe, even for me! I guess that is what I get for thinking! 
I have been a lover of Pilates for several years and really enjoy doing it, but it has not been without it's fair share of pain (and I'm not talking the good kind: NO PAIN NO GAIN). I'm talking about the sprained ankle I have gotten while trying to balance on one leg, the pulled quad muscle, and the twisted finger (don't ask me! I still can't figure that one out), but I must say, this band welt is the most painful. 
I whole-heartedly admit that this is a prime example of a 'first world problem'. "Oh, boo hoo, I hurt myself while getting myself in shape. I think I will ice my wounds while I plan my vacation." I have never been ashamed to look like a fool to my reader. I also have never been afraid to warn you of dangers, and let's not forget that this is why you are here now. 
PILATES IS DANGEROUS! And if you are me, so is walking, sitting, standing, breathing, eating, sleeping (remember when I woke up with 3 dislocated ribs), and probably very soon, typing.  
Now that I have informed you, I must go ice my face and my dignity.
Toodle-loo

I am a Republican and I DO NOT want to kill your grandma...

I REPEAT, I DO NOT WANT TO KILL YOUR GRANDMA! I would think that would be obvious and I wouldn't need to state it, but seeing as how it's election time again (UUUGGGHHH) and I keep hearing how awful Republicans are, I thought I would clear my name!

I am a Republican that DETESTS blanket statements such as the above. People (DEMS and REPS alike) that makes statements like this are just ignorant. They are ubër dangerous because they influence those that are too lazy to research on their own. This leads to uninformed voters basing their decision on lies and false promises...wait, that may be EVERY election, but I digress. Let's get back to me...I have heard that 'I' (because I am a Republican) not only want to kill your grandma, but also hate gays and the poor, love war, and am racist. In actuality, NONE of these bear any resemblance to my actual feelings.

I am a Republican that chooses not to make your sexual preference any business of mine. If you are nice to me, I will be nice to you. I happen to love someone WITH ALL MY HEART that is gay and I would stick up for them no matter the consequence. Why they need 'stuck up for' in this day and age still blows my mind, but that is a WHOLE OTHER BLOG ENTRY!

I am a Republican that doesn't look at you as anything other human, no matter what is in your bank account. If you need assistance, I will help you...as long as you are willing to help yourself in the process. I am not about getting 'something for nothing'. Just as my kids have to earn what they want, so should you. I grew up with a single mother who worked two jobs most of my childhood to provide for her kids. I remember only one time her being on welfare, and then it was only briefly, so her kids could eat. She did not rape the system and she certainly did not expect the government to continue to pay for the decisions she was making. I am very proud of her for that.

I am a Republican that does not love war. As a matter of fact, I wish for nothing more that for this war to be over with so I don't have to worry about my cousin being deployed again. I know, however, that sometimes it is necessary. But to reiterate, I HATE it!

I am a Republican that doesn't look at the color of your skin to determine your worth. I know and love several people of different ethnicities, and am a better person for it! Again, if you are nice to me, I will be nice to you!

Last, but not least, I am a Republican that hates politics. I love the idea of democracy, but we have become so skewed that I don't see us getting back to a productive form of government anytime soon.

Now, look me in the eyes so I know you are listening to me (sorry, I'm a mom and some habits are hard to break)... Blanket statements are bad, and totally false! Saying that all Republicans hate gays is like saying all Democrats are for abortion. Saying that all Democrats don't agree with the war is like saying that all Republicans are hypocrites. We need to remember that we are all screwed together, so why can't we all just get along!
That is all... but FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, LEAVE YOUR GRANDMA OUT OF IT!

I LOVE AMERICA!

The first step is admitting...

I am not ashamed to admit that I am currently suffering from an addiction. Like most addictions, I can't stop thinking about it when I am not in the midst of being consumed by it. This addiction is so NOT what I would ever expect myself enjoying. As a matter of fact, I tried it out by accident one day and that was all it took... I WAS HOOKED! So, it is with some embarrassment that I am admitting that I am addicted to THE WALKING DEAD. My 'happy-go-lucky' self CAN NOT GET ENOUGH of this zombiepocolypse tv show. I purposely kept my eyes away from it for one and a half seasons and then I'll be derned if Ben didn't find the marathon before the last episode of the first half of the second season (I hope that makes sense to you, because I got confused just typing it) and started watching them. I am a huge scaredy cat so this show scared the bejesus out of me just be seeing the commercials, but I could not take my eyes off of the tv. Now, every Sunday night you can find me planted on my couch with a blanket over my face, watching the zombies attack and the humans live another day. This is one of the best dramas I have ever been sucked into! I get excited for a tv show, and that hasn't happened since Beverly Hills 90210! Dare I say, Rick Grimes is a better character than Donna, Dillon, Kelly, Brenda, Brandon, David, Steve, and Andrea combined. If you love suspense and some gore (or even if you don't; I certainly am not a fan of either) then you need to check it out!! So it gives me nightmares, and makes me scared to walk to the bathroom after dark, but I CAN'T STOP!! Hopefully it doesn't get so bad that I need a Zombievention... I may go full medieval on someone! I gotta go! It's on is an hour and forty minutes and I have to prepare myself!

Cate and Maddie excepting the Dance Dare...

If you are someone with a TV, I am sure you are aware by now, of Ellen's Dance Dare. If you are not aware of what it is then I will enlighten you. Ellen sent out a dare to all her viewers to go up behind someone without them knowing it and start dancing (without getting caught). These videos are HYSTERICAL!!! Cate saw this segment and wanted to accept the challenge. Here are her and her friend Maddie getting their secret groove on at Target today! Hopefully their video will get picked to be showed on the segment. If not, oh well. They had A BALL doing this!!

THIS IS A BULLY-FREE ZONE...

It's about to get REAL up in here! I am so sick of all the bullying that goes on anymore. Yes, there was bullying when I was young (I know, I was the recipient of it), but it is seriously out of control. There are zero repercussions for kids anymore, at school OR at home. What is it going to take to make the adults who are in charge to WAKE UP?? Back in my time, this kind of behavior was mostly done out of school, because school officials would not tolerate it. Nowadays it happens IN school, IN FRONT of educators, and no one bats an eyelash; no one but the one getting bullied. It was recently brought to my attention that a girl who I have known since she was in Kindergarten was on the receiving end of a hideous form of meanery! Her peers, whom she has known since she was a toddler, thought it would be funny to nominate her to represent the class at the basketball homecoming ceremony. Enough kids agreed to do this and she was selected. I can only imagine how excited she was to hear this, only to be told by those same kids that it was all a joke. How cruel is that? How are kids so insensitive and unsympathetic anymore?
It's time EVERYONE with kids, or has direct ties to kids, to wake up and start taking responsibility! I am far from a perfect parent, but you can guarantee that if I ever heard of my kids acting this way there would be hell to pay. I am proud that Ben and I have raised two caring girls. They have been raised with the Golden Rule. For those of you that don't know what that is it's 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'. It's a simple saying that is pretty self explanatory. It makes me sick that some parents don't take the time to teach their kids how to be accepting, tolerant, caring citizens. There is enough nastiness in the world; we don't need it in our backyards too. It breaks my heart that EVERYDAY there are beautiful, sweet kids, who go to school just to get harassed and ridiculed, and for what? Having a different style? Having brains? Having a speech impediment? Not having the 'right' clothes or hair color? Not being the 'right' size? Seriously folks, how can you possibly NOT do right by your kids and just sit them down and talk to them about how their words can weigh on others. You can't just assume your kids aren't going to join their peers in making fun of other kids in the hallway, because if they have never been on the receiving end of it they may not know how bad it can really hurt! Do your job as a parent and let them know that just like it's not OK to do drugs, text and drive, get in the car with strangers, eat lead paint, or swim before waiting 30 minutes after eating, that it's gross to belittle others for the sake of a laugh! It's not rocket science. It's called responsible parenting. Bullying is defined as aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions. It's pretty straightforward, if your kid wouldn't want it they shouldn't give it!
The facts and stats below brought tears to my eyes and made me nauseous.These numbers continue to rise every month...
- It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Source: National Education Association.
- American schools harbor approximately 2.1 million bullies and 2.7 million of their victims. Dan Olweus, National School Safety Center.
- 1 in 7 Students in Grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying.
- 56% of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school.
- 15% of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school.
- 71% of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their school.
- 1 out of 20 students has seen a student with a gun at school.
- 282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools each month.
- Those in the lower grades reported being in twice as many fights as those in the higher grades. However, there is a lower rate of serious violent crimes in the elementary level than in the middle or high schools.
- 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying
- Among students, homicide perpetrators were more than twice as likely as homicide victims to have been bullied by peers.
- Bullying statistics say revenge is the strongest motivation for school shootings.
- 87% of students said shootings are motivated by a desire to “get back at those who have hurt them.”
- 86% of students said, “other kids picking on them, making fun of them or bullying them” causes teenagers to turn to lethal violence in the schools.
- 61% of students said students shoot others because they have been victims of physical abuse at home.
- 54% of students said witnessing physical abuse at home can lead to violence in school.
- According to bullying statistics, 1 out of every 10 students who drops out of school does so because of repeated bullying.
... please take heart parents. Even if you are sure that your kids aren't drinking the bullying kool-aid, talk to them. Ask if they are getting bullied. Ask if they have witnessed it. Ask if they have participated in it. JUST ASK! Get involved in their lives. Do what you can before it's too late; before they do irreversible damage to another, or before irreversible damage is done to them. We only get one shot at raising our kids to be good people. They will reach a point in their lives where they become permanently wired and they will ALWAYS be a bully or always be a victim. Save your kids while they are kids!

Awwww, welcome 2012...you smell like clean sheets line drying an a beach!

Here we are in 2012! I hope the new year found you in good health and good spirits. With the new year comes those dreaded 'new year resolutions'... lose weight, save money, eat better, exercise more, be a better _______ (you fill in the blank). I, personally, do not like setting myself up for failure, so if I feel like jumping on the bandwagon, my resolutions usually go something like this; I, Tiff Karacia, resolve to do my part for the US economy by keeping my kids clothed and fed. I then realize that half of their clothes are made over seas and their food is imported so I try again. I, Tiff Karacia, resolve to not let the four-leggeds control my home/life anymore. I then have to stop typing this to let my tiny doghuman on my lap so I can cover her up and keep her warm while she eats (so what? she prefers to eat while covered and curled up on my lap, what of it?). Hmmm, I guess that won't work either. Ok, third times a charm... I, Tiff Karacia, resolve to not resolute my new year. MUCH BETTER!

In all seriousness, there are things that I would like to do differently this year. I need to find a good church that has a GREAT youth program. I need to lose the weight I gained since I moved to Illinois. I need to find a job outside of this home so I stop talking to the plants (just kidding. we don't have plants. but I do carry on conversations with the doghumans, and they only respond to me when i throw 'treats' or 'outside' onto the end of my sentences, so it's not very good conversation). I want to learn how to use a sewing machine. I want to have more date nights with the hubs (our girls have found social lives so it's time we did the same). Most of all, I want to figure out a way to slow time. Ali will be 16 this year; how did that happen? I still am carrying around 20 pounds of baby weight, so how is he going to be driving? 2012 will be the start of her sophomore year and Cate's 7th grade year. Wow! My heart hearts a little just thinking about it.

None of us knows what 2012 has in store for us. We just need to remember to take it one day at a time and breathe in every single second that the Lord blesses us with; especially when it comes to those seconds we are blessed to spend with our family and friends. I hope everyone of you reading this finds happiness, love and an abundance of blessing this year. It will be as awesome as you allow it to be, SO ALLOW IT!