Freedom

I've been thinking a lot lately about freedom. 

My go-to website for definitions (I probably look something up twice a week just to make sure I'm using words correctly for the context), Merriam-Webster defines freedom thusly:
1. The quality of state of being free
  a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action
  b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another
  c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous
  d: ease, facility 
  e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken
  f: improper familiarity
  g: boldness of concept or execution
  h: unrestricted use 

Now with the exception of f: improper familiarity I think all of those things are something I aspire to in my life.  Especially the first:

Freedom = The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

Who doesn't want their life to feel like that? 

As the new year approaches I am working through some personal issues of freedom - chiefly in the areas of finances and food.  Part of me becoming free in these areas is removing some of the hiddenness about them (see definition e above). 

Our goal as a family for 2011 is to rid ourselves of our remaining credit card debt - thus becoming more financially free (I still have some student loans to pay off and a mortgage after that).  My personal goal is to become dietarily free.  "Um, what?" you are asking yourself.  Well, that's the only way I can think of to describe it.  I have a problem with food - namely overindulgence in it.  And I hate feeling restricted in any way.  My goal for 2011 is to develop a healthy relationship with food so that I can enjoy it without feeling controlled by it.  If you've ever struggled with food, you'll know what I mean.  And if you haven't, you'll never be able to understand, so just go with me on this.  Look for more in the coming weeks

I just have to shake my head and wonder

Contrast for yourself these two stories

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101215...ristmasoffbeat
Summary: a hotel in Abu Dhabi (a primarily Muslim country) erected a 40ft Christmas tree in the lobby. The hotel manager is not worried it will offend people there as they are a "very liberal" country.

and this:
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12...southlake.html
Summary: a bank patron donated a Christmas tree to be put up in the branch of his local Chase bank. The company headquarters ordered the tree be taken down so it wouldn't offend anyone (note: there were no complaints, it was a preemptive move based on company policy). After outrageous uproar Chase actually is putting up a tree there but that is only after many complaints and news stories about it.


So.... what's the deal?

Aren't we supposed to be the country of "religious freedom"?

Aren't we the country with a "liberal" congress and president?

Are Americans so self interested that the very sight of a Christmas tree by a non-Christmas-celebrators (Jews, Muslims, Hindus, etc) is likely to make them stop doing business with a particular company?

Do we really have that little regard for the common sense of people of various faith that we believe they cannot even cast their eyes upon a Christmas symbol without being completely outraged?

If Chase (and other companies) want to be sensitive to the needs of those who don't celebrate Christmas then why do they close for business on that day? It's a day the bank would normally be open (Saturday). How is it right for them to deny those who aren't celebrating Christmas the opportunity to do their banking on that day?

I wouldn't be offended by the sight of a Menorah or a Diwali light (one of which Allison brought how from school and we light almost daily) or something special for Eid al Fitr (the Muslim celebration of the end of Ramadan).  So this whole situation just leaves me scratching my head.

Superwoman Doesn't Live At My House

Since adding adorable child number 3 our home as become a bit more, um, chaotic.  There's more to be done - more laundry & dishes to wash, more diapers to change, more kids to buckle into car seats, more littel socks to be matched.  It can feel daunting if I let it get to me. 

Today I found this articleby Sabrina Malone and it really hit home.  If you are a working mom, maybe you'll find some practical advice in here that can help you too.
Superwoman Doesn't Exist

Joy

Decking The Halls

I've always enjoyed decorating for Christmas but had yet to really find my "style" for the holidays.  This year I've picked a bit of a theme (red, white & silver) and have been having so much fun with it.  I can't wait to share pictures with you all tomorrow.  

But in the meantime let me say that decorating is so much more fun when you have people to appreciate your work.  Last night as I hung ornaments over the mantle Allison told me how beautiful it looked.  And this morning Peter had a great time noticing all the little details around the kitchen.

Holidays are fun again!

This year we are having a great time enjoying the holiday season.  Allison is at the best age for enjoying everything.  Each thing is new and exciting for her.  And her enthusiasm is rubbing off on Peter too.  I suppose I hadn't really realized how routine the holidays had become until we got this chance to experience it again with the kids.  My new theory is that Christmas is great when you are a kid.  And it's fun when you have a kid.  But those in between years - for me - the 20s - it's just not that exciting.

We started things off on Thanksgiving morning.  Allison came in to wake me up and our conversation went like this:
Me: "Allison do you know what today is?"
Allison: "Stay home from school?"
Me: "Yes.... do you know what else?"
Allison: "No."
Me: "Thanksgiving!"
Allison: "THANKSGIVING!!!  I have to go tell Daddy!"

At this point she raced down the stairs and I heard her shouting "Daddy, it's Thanksgiving!"  She was so excited to let him in on the big news. 

The rest of the day was a good time.  She & Peter helped make pumpkin pie, washed potatoes, and set the table for dinner.  They enjoyed their "special Thankgiving drink" of OJ and gingerale in a wine glass.  The glasses were super cheap ones from Ikea that I didn't care if they broke.  But amazingly both kids were so careful with them.  And they loved getting such a special treat.

Now it's on to Christmas.  Their current favorite thing is looking for Christmas lights on houses as we drive around.  Their excitement is truly contageous

Harry Potter

I love the Harry Potter novels & movies.  When they first came out, I wasn't too keen on the idea of them.  They seemed like kids books.  But then Mr Brown and I watched the first movie one night while we were dating.  It was so good!  After that I borrowed the books from his mom and never looked back.  I was hooked.

This weekend I got to have special "mommy time" to go see the latest movie.  I went to an IMAX showing and it was fabulous.  It was definitely a treat to get a few hours to myself to indulge.  I didn't tell the kids I was going to the movies because I know they would have asked to come and, of course, HP isn't exactly preschool friendly.

Allison's school has show-and-tell on Mondays and one of the older girls (5 maybe) brought a Harry Potter book.  This girl is apparently a super reader (like a 5th grade level) so I'm sure she's capable of reading it.  But it got me wondering if the content of the books - even the first few - are really appropriate for a 5 or 6 year old.  There is some scary stuff in there.

But it did result in a funny thing last night.  On the way home from school in the car we had this conversation:

Allison - "Mommy, are you going to see Harry Potter tomorrow?"
Me - "No.  Mommy saw Harry Potter yesterday."
A - "I can see Harry Potter when I get to be a big kid"
Me - "Yes.  When you are a big kid."

I then overhear this:
A - "Peter, do you know Harry Potter?"
P - "No."

It's not as funny in print but trust me, if you'd heard her ask her brother if he knows HP, like he's some kid from school, then you'd have laughed out loud right along with me.