The Dilemma of Race

 Unless you live under a rock, you know the social issues of race, racial profiling, and the fact that the US isn't as far along in racial equality as most white people think is every where now.
The terrible  shooting of Trayvon Martin, horrible responses to Rue in Hunger Games being portrayed by an African-American actress, and other random things in the news are just the tip of the iceberg.
  All this got me thinking about The Peanut and making sure she's raised to understand no one is better than anyone because of their race. It is even more important to me since we moved to our new place and she has made new friends that aren't the same color as her. To her beautiful 4 year old mind, there is no race. It just happens that a few of her little friends have different color skin.  In fact a conversation about this went as follows:
The Peanut: My friend [name] is brownish.
Me: Yup.
The Peanut: My skin is pinkish
Me: Yup.
The Peanut: I feel treatish. Can I have something yummy?

 This filled me with joy. Then I started thinking. Right now, she doesn't care. I think we're raising a loving little girl that sees past color. But that's the problem. I assume. And that is my dilemma. How do I make sure she understands that there are people in this world that judge someone just because they have dark skin? How do I explain slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, the KKK? How do I tell her that some people are cruel and say horrible things about some of her friends?

  Then I decided, I will just do my best and use every learning opportunity to make sure she understands the best that she can.

Super Shoes!

  I found a super cute project idea on Pinterest and HAD to do it right away.

Super Hero Shoes! It's really easy. I decided to try out the project on a pair for The Peanut. Then, if all goes well, I will make a pair for myself. I'm thinking they need to be worn at GenCon.

Here's where I got the idea and a better How-to!

Step 1:  Gather your supplies
Comics of your choice
Modge Podge
Shoes
Paint brushes and sponges
Newspaper

Step 2
Cut out pictures you like.  I used panels for coverage, then layered words and characters on top.

Step 3
Modge Podge your pictures onto the shoes.

The Peanut helping.

Step 4

Distract your little one from "helping" by giving her the camera.

Step 5
Cover everything a couple layers of Modge Podge and let dry.

Step 6
Step back and look at your awesome new shoes!

What I don't say

  I have quite a few "online friends." Many I've met IRL (in real life) and consider them to be real friends. The best part about knowing so many people is making friends out of my comfort zone. I can also have any persona I want. In general, who I am online is who I really am. Still, there are many things I don't say.
  I don't talk much about my political views or my faith. Mostly because I don't like long mud slinging arguments on my Facebook page. So for one time only, I will post some of my beliefs.

I believe in God.
I believe in Science.
My God does not wear a long white robe. He doesn't have a long beard. He doesn't need my money.
God did not create the universe in 6 earth days.
To me, science is the study of what God has done, is doing, and will do.
I believe in prayer and I also believe in going to the doctor and taking medicine when you are sick.
I believe the universe is too amazing and perfect for there to be no creator. It is too terrible and evil for there to be no opposing force.

  If I had to label myself politically, I would call myself a Conservative liberal.
I am pro-choice and pro-death penalty. Gun control is keeping them out of the reach of children, teaching them gun safety, and hitting what you aim for. As for other political type views, it just depends.

So there. Love it or hate it, that's me.

Photo: Painting with Kool Aid

 Kool Aid water colors! It smells like candy in here.

In Which I Use a Glue Gun and Only Burn Myself Four Times

  It's been quiet at Singing Princess Astronaut. This SPA has been busy moving. The husband got a new job, moving us about 15ish minutes away. The new place is pretty effing awesome. 450 square feet bigger, recently beautifully remodeled. I'm quite excited and am loving it. The packing and unpacking was a PITA, but oh well.

  Anyhoo. Glue gun. Fuck you, glue gun. I finally did the Valentine's Day project I've said I was going to do for the last 4 years.  With much adult supervision, Peanut made Valentine's Day picture frames. With exception the 3 very minor burns and one slightly more painful burn (conveniently located on the tip of my index finger, making typing so much fun!)  it was an easy project.

  All we did was hot glue some conversation hearts (you know, the awesome heart shaped candies that taste just like heart burn medicine?) to a picture frame, coat with a bit of Modge Podge, add some glitter and Ta Da! Pretty Valentine's gifts for the family!

Not pictured, my burnt finger

Stuff!  

Ta Da! 

Glitter makes it awesomer!

                   

Another Proud Geek Parent Moment.

Today while out and about with The Peanut, she yelled out, "Momma! Look the TARDIS!"
I asked, "Really? Where?"
"Over there! OK, it's not really the TARDIS. It's one of those moving bathroom things. I'm going to pretend it's the TARDIS."

My Christmas present finally arrived. 

Queue Nerd Rage NOW!

  I don't get all the nerd rage about the Star Wars prequels. At all. Seriously. The movies aren't great, but are they really  THAT bad? What, exactly makes them so horrible? I would love to find some one that has never seen any Star Wars movie and has no preconceived ideas of the Star Wars world. Then I want them to watch them all and give an actual objective review.

  Oh, just so you know,  I think JarJar Binks is awful. I thought the Ewoks were stupid when I was a kid.

"I'm doing all this to save your ass..."

 Movies that if they come on, I have to watch to the end:

Dirty Dancing
Steel Magnolias
Thelma and Louise
Finding Nemo

My husband came home for lunch and I was watching Dirty Dancing. He tried to give me a hard time. I said, "I'm a girl. I'm allowed to love Dirty Dancing."

So there's that.

*EDIT I should also add
Shawshank Redemption (Because Fowl Sorcerous is right)
Forest Gump
Brave Heart

Those Silly Resolutions.

  I am not much of a New Years Resolution girl. I never think of any thing good and have a serious problem with following through.  I decided I would post the things that I will do in 2012.  I do not resolve to do the following things. These are the new plan.
  1. DO something with The Peanut for at least one hour every day.  Watching a show will not count. I mean quality, one-on-one time.

  2. Do some kind of physical activity every day. This can be going for a walk, sex, playing at the park with Peanut or some other form of physical play. (I can play with The Peanut for an hour and number 1 is taken care of, as well!)

  3. Do Zumba for the Wii no less than 3 times a week.

  4. Use less salt. This really isn't a problem, I just thought it was a good idea.

  5. Drink at least one glass of water every day. By one glass, I mean one of our 32 ounce glasses.

  6. Go to at least one gaming type meet up once a month and interact with real, live human beings.

  7. Not get discourage if I get off track from my plan. I will get back on the horse the next day. No excuses.

So, there it is. All typed in black and white for the peering eyes of you, interwebs.

Peanut's World.

 The Peanut got a camera attachment for her Leapster Explorer. I thought I would link a few of the important things she decided to capture.

Her clock ornament from Santa

A little attitude

The awesome reusable Tinkerbell stickers Gramma Terri sent work on windows, too!

Tree!

This is my favorite. Very artistic.

It's OK to be a Girl.

 My Peanut has spent her day in touch with her girly side.  Last night she did her first project with her new sewing machine. Today she has watched Strawberry Shortcake, played with her Tinkerbell sticker book, and colored pretty pictures. All while wearing a cute skirt and top.  I made a comment to my husband that Peanut was being girly. He said, "There's nothing wrong with that"
  He's quite right. There isn't a thing wrong with being a girl. There's no reason to not like pink and lace and playing with dolls.  I socialize in many circles where being a girly girl is looked down upon. Like a girl or lady couldn't possibly be for equal gender rights if she likes to get her nails done and buy tons of shoes.
  I can't think of a single thing wrong with a woman CEO that likes to shop for adorable outfits or the gamer girl that collects Hello Kitty and only plays pixie healers cuz it's just cute!
  Personally, pink isn't for me. I rarely like sappy romantic movies, can't stand "Sex in the City" and have mild panic attacks if I spend too much time in the American Girl store. But I looooove shoes. I enjoy getting dressed up and looking cute on occasion.
  So I say, Ladies, go out and look adorable. Let your daughter play with a Barbie and pink Legos. Just don't forget to make sure your little girl knows she can do what ever she wants!

Here's The Peanut with the pillow she made! She insisted her new battle ax be part of the photo. 

Randolph, The Yellow Blinking Butt Reindeer

  There's this thing going around about Santa's reindeer. You know, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and the crew. It points out that male reindeer lose their antlers in the winter, therefore Santa's fliers must be female. It's an incredibly silly argument. Santa's reindeer are how old? So at least 200 years old. Also, they fly. It is quite apparent these are not your run of the mill reindeer. Obviously magical.
  In other words, they are magical, immortal male reindeer that never lose their antlers and your "Santa's reindeer are female" statement is just silly.

This photo has nothing to do with my post. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my big 4 year old Peanut!

The Smells of the Season

  Nothing reminds me of Christmas and specifically my childhood Christmases more than the smell of nutmeg.  It reminds me of sprinkling nutmeg on my eggnog, surreptitiously adding a splash of brandy while a cousin watched out for the adults. Then hanging out in the basement with all my cousins while we played with all our new stuff wearing all our new clothes tags still attached.
  What about you? Do you have a specific smell that reminds you a special time?

Rant on Religion

I heard a saying a while back that someone used to describe their relationship with organized religion and it really struck me.  

I try to eat the fish without choking on the bones.  

I do believe there is a God, and I do believe that something happened 2000 or so years ago concerning a man named Jesus.  After that, my beliefs get kind of fuzzy.  The reasons I'm a little fuzzy on things are the typical reasons people like me use.  I feel the bible is a manipulation by man of the word of God and deeds of Jesus.  I'm put off by the amount of violence and war in the name of religion.  I'm especially put off by the amount of hate and prejudice brought by those who are doing so in the name of God.  Having been an active member in a Catholic school and church, I'm nauseated by those who use their positions in the church for power or influence.  From a small rural town, I shake my head at the social groups that form around each different denomination and especially so at how these social groups carry over into who their children play or associate with in our public school.  I wish these things didn't bother me, but they really do.  I wish I could be that faithful soul who would only say and do good and overlook the serious flaws in organized religion.  I wish I didn't roll my eyes at every "defend CHRISTmas" post on Facebook.  For the record, I'm defending to keep the holy in Happy Holidays, thank you very much.  

Do Christians really feel that threatened that they need to become militant about their faith?  Our original founding religious principals as a nation are being slowly molded from having the freedom to worship in how we chose to being only free to worship as a Christian.  Our country was founded on freedom of religion but it seems we're coming closer to being "free to be any type of Christian you prefer".  Until we as a nation recognizes that freedom of religion includes freedom from religion, we are no better than any other backward, repressed regime.  

Sometimes I think that God's plan all along was to have a bible that had conflicting statements, to have the world evolve and challenge some of the more staunchly held beliefs of religion, to have denominations splinter over the most arcane doctrine.  But then somewhere inside the book that holds some kernel of truth of the word of God, to offer one clear direction to those who consider themselves believers.  I really see that direction in John 13:34-35.  Paraphrased to it's simplicity here as:  Love one another.  And thru this love for one another, that is how all will know you are a disciple.  

I do wish I were one of the faithful who could eat the fish without choking on the bones.  But I believe that God has a plan for people like me, just like he has a plan for the most faithful.  If I am one where I am forced to look behind the curtain of dogma, then in my very small way I will carry with me the message of, love one another.  Peace to you all in this blessed holiday season.

Christmas fun

  I made up a batch of cinnamon-applesauce dough for The Peanut. It's really easy. Just take one part cinnamon, one part applesauce and squish it together. You get a yummy smelling play-dough. The dough has a habit of turning your hands brown, but that's nothing a bit of soap and water won't cure.
  I recommend playing with the dough out in the open so everything smell all cinnamon-appley!

You can also use the dough to make ornaments. Just roll it out flat, cut into happy shapes, and let air dry. (or bake in the oven for 10-30 minutes at around 200 Fahrenheit)
  See, you don't need to buy expensive things to keep the kiddies happy!

Peanut and I waiting for the National Christmas Tree lighting to start! 

Lotion candles and crazy weather.

   It is the end of November and warm enough to play outside in short sleeves and bare legs! Peanut was spirited and full of extra energy this morning, so I took her to the park. For the entire time, I let her be the "boss." No saying no or hold on, or I'm going to watch you play. An hour and a half of climbing up and down the stairs, going down the slide, holding giant handfuls of wood chips, and being the bad dragon to be defeated.
  Not only did I get a good workout, Peanut had really enjoyed having some undivided attention.

  Then we went home to make lotion candles!!

 The supplies. 

1 part Beeswax

1 part Shea butter

1 part Avocado or Grapeseed oil

1 or 2 vitamin E capsules per candle/bar

Fragrance 

soy candle wicks

small tin containers

small craft sticks

The stuff (not pictured, the craft sticks)

These are really easy to make. Just melt the wax and Shea butter together in a double boiler. Shea butter can get a little grainy, so I recommend melting the beeswax first, then stirring in the butter. 

Add the oil, pop a hole in the vitamin E capsule and squeeze that in, then add fragrance if you   like. 

After that you can pour the melted lotion into a mold or make lotion candles.  Peanut and I decided on candles. 

 I don't have a double boiler. So I adapt.

To use the lotion candles,  light the candle and let a little melt and use that as a massage oil. Or scrape a little bit off the top with a small stick and use the lotion. This stuff is all natural and a little goes a long way. It's great for around your cuticles and extra dry skin.

Crickets...

It sure has been quiet here at Singing Princess Astronaut.  This S.P.A. has been busy, busy with holiday prep and every day thingies.
Also, I am wearing my tiara RIGHT NOW

Muppets!!!

The Muppets should host the 2012 Oscars! Who's with me?

A note: I haven't watched or cared about the Oscars since I was a kid. But I would totally be on board to watch if the Muppets hosted.

What it means to be a Singing Princess Astronaut

  This morning The Peanut and I were playing. She said, "Mommy, I'm a princess that is asleep. You have to kiss me to make me wake up. I'm Cinderella." I told her Cinderella was the one that had the evil step mom that locked her in the tower so she couldn't go to the ball. Snow White or Sleeping Beauty get put under sleeping spells.
  Peanut says, "OK. I'm Snow White. Kiss me awake." So I do. Then Peanut announces she's Cinderella. I'm the evil step mommy. I'm to lock her in the tower. I said, "And then your Fairy God Mother will come and help you get free?"
  Peanut says, "No. I don't need her to rescue me. I'm strong. I can do it myself!"


I love my kid.

It's all about love.

  Sometimes motherhood is not showering for days, never going to the bathroom alone, and watching the same episode of Kipper 42 times in a row.
  Other times it is wearing a Gary the Snail headband to the grocery and not caring that people are staring.