Christmas Time Is Here....Where Is The Good Cheer?

Last night I had a conversation with a Facebook friend and fellow small business owner about Christmas, the origins of Christmas, Christianity, and why everyone else is going to hell.  (For the record, I disagree with that last statement)

I woke up today and got all heated again about the conversation.  I pondered it for a minute then I realized.... you can't get to everyone.  I mean, shoot, there are people out there who think the Holocaust didn't actually happen despite overwhelming evidence.  Some people are quick to condemn others for their beliefs but then when fact comes to fiction, they are quick to pull the victim card.   I know for a fact that most religions are taught with the goal of bettering the individual as well as the community.  The majority of the teachings are the same only in different gift wrap.  What I can't stand is people who believe that THEIR religion (or God) is the ONLY correct choice.  I disagree.   I also don't like the "you either agree with me or you're going to hell' mentality.   Again, I respectfully disagree.  I know that what I choose to believe is what is common ground in almost EVERY god-fearing religion out there.  Be a good person and help out your fellow man.   I guess there's always bad apples in every religion, from the suicide bombers wishing to get to their virgins in heaven -- to the christian who believes that anyone with a differing view is slated for hell.  

I choose to believe that God will judge the individual on their actions, life choices, and general life choices.  Is that vague?  Yes.  Do I think I need to be dunked in a muddy lake to secure that 'spot'?  Nope... because that's also pagan symbolism brought into Christianity.  I read an article last night about how Christmas itself is celebrating false idols as Jesus is the son of God, not God himself and we should not be celebrating his birth.  (Hello Puritans!)  I find that thought interesting as part of the conversation was also about how presents and Santa were celebrating false gods.   Listen.... I get that Santa isn't in the Bible.  But, he was a man who according to legend helped families in need.  I can (and do!) support that.  THAT is being a good person.  

Furthermore, the Bible wasn't written BY God.  It was written by MEN... with divine intervention. (If that's what you choose to believe)

I know that my comments and this post will not even make a dent in the bad blood between the warring religions of the world.   But I think that if we all just agree to be better people, focus on ourselves as individuals and bettering ourselves, help out within our communities and assist those in need.... the world would be a better place.   We don't need to bash people who have different views.  

The one thing I took away from the conversation last night is that this girl isn't secure in her faith.  There were a lot of contradicting statements thrown out by this one individual last night.  I only pray, for her sake, that she's right.  Because honestly, I wouldn't want to explain to MY God why I was condemning people to hell and telling them they believed in a satanic religion.    I think that people get so caught up in the 'reason for the season' that they forget what their REASON was trying to do with his life and teachings -- promote good cheer, being a good person, helping out those less fortunate, and being happy.  Why can't we all just get along and agree that this time of year is special to many of us for VARIOUS reasons and that it's a warm, fuzzy time to celebrate your beliefs.   Just remember, in your celebrating, that people may have differing views... that doesn't make them WRONG... just different.  Listen, learn, educate yourself, and you too might realize there's more to it than what you originally thought.

Here's a video that explains what I mean in more detail. (Don't worry - It's short)  (And, It's ME!  YAY!)

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, and God Bless.

S&S.
Shannon

9/30 Week in Review

I feel like this week I have been in major 'nesting' mode.  Not for any particular reason, but I do find that Fall is a season where I am focused on making my home as inviting and cozy as possible.  As a recent Game of Thrones fanatic, I find the 'Winter is Coming' line very comical.  I keep reciting it in my head.   Perhaps I'm a descendant of the Starks.  No, strike that, they drop like flies.  I'd rather be a Kahleesi, but I digress. 

I've been very crafty the past week. Punk and I sat down (and with some help from Pinterest) decided what to make in the coming weeks::

- Homemade Vanilla Extract

- A Homemade Candle

- Homemade Soap

- Homemade Bath Salts

What else?  I'm drawing a blank.  Perhaps a book?  A warm snuggly blanket?

Here are two of the items.  The candle is a soy based candle, scented with lavender and vanilla and with a wood wick -- FANCY!  The soap is a shea butter base with orange, lavender, and rosemary added. 

I have also been very focused on creating inviting spaces that call to each of my animals.  My dogs are lazy little lap dogs, so I decided to make them dog beds.   I found some AMAZING (and cheap!) sweaters at a local thrift store and busted out my Singer.  Here is a picture of Bella in her sweater bed.   Nygel's sweater is a tighter weave so I can't just use a plastic needle and yarn to pull it all together - plus, I need more stuffing.  He is waiting patiently for his. :)  

She thinks her bed is DELICIOUSLY warm. (Note the tongue)

Myrrh is 100% kitten.  He's also 300% scaredy cat.  (Which I love him for) so I created a space for him to hide and play.  I wanted to get him a cat tree but honestly, $100+ wasn't going to happen.  I was on Pinterest looking for a DIY cat furniture post and found a picture (NO INSTRUCTIONS -- DANG YOU PINTEREST!!!) of a ladder turned into a cat tree. I posted on Facebook asking for an old ladder - because I'm cheap.  My grandmother had one in her basement.  He enjoys watching the birds and squirrels from my window so I placed it in front of the sliding glass door to the balcony. 

As you can see, I added a crate with a homemade cushion and blanket for him to 'nest' in.  I also used (no joke) 10 skeins of yarn woven in a figure 8 fashion to create a little hammock for him to lay in as well.   Next up: painting the ladder.   (I kind of like it as-is though).  I also intend to tie some toys to it and devise a way to hang a mason jar with some cat grass/cat nip growing in it.   Thoughts?

Also -- I live to torture my animals.  Really though, he was tearing me up with his claws.  I was told (through much uproar on my Facebook page) that my plan to have him declawed was inhumane.  As a vegetarian, I am a HUGE animals rights supporter.  However, it's been so long since I've had a kitten, I had NO IDEA!  My last cat died recently at the much-loved age of 16. So, I was 12 when I got/found her and I saved money from my first job to spay and declaw her.  I didn't know!

Anyway.... those yellow things on his paws?  They're nail caps that protect my legs (the dogs, my furniture, my walls, my face, my legs - again) from his 'playing'.

Speaking of Nails -- did you know that KISS makes an ombre nail kit?  Super easy! (If  I can do it - ANYONE can!)  It looks really pretty too.  This is the Film Noir color. 

**Please ignore my dry cuticles!**

Also - yay FORD!

Just last night the Punk and I painted pumpkins.  We went to a local farm market for their local Fall Festival.  There were super cute painted pumpkins for sale there (which of course the Punk wanted to buy) but they were kind of pricey -- at $7-$10 a piece.  These little pumpkins cost me $3 for the pair and I have a basket full of acrylic paints already.  So -- we have totally unique (and might I say, AWESOME!) painted pumpkins for $3.

**Side note:  when YOUR Punk chooses a pumpkin, have them carry it by the base, NOT the stem.  Otherwise, you'll find yourself arguing with a pre-tween about whether or not the stem will just "stick back on".  And yes, I caved and tried to glue it on with Epoxy.  It was still wet and non-stuck this morning.  We're holding out hope**

And Lastly, This Quote is one that I found this past week that really resonated with me.  I hope it does you as well.  

S&S,

Shannon