Why Frozen is so popular

So, I have gotten way behind in my blogging, but it seems that since we returned from Disney that life has been going crazy (a blog for another time). I am trying to catch up on my writing, since I have so many ideas and really need to get them on paper. Today I thought I would tackle a question that I hear lots of people asking. In 2013 Disney released the movie Frozen and honestly I beleive it has exceeded all the limits that Disney imagined for it. While we were at Disney World I saw lots of little Annas and Elsas and if you wanted to meet the princesses you had best have a fast pass to make it happen. We did have one for 8 at night, it was the first we could get, but the only fast pass I really had to have. So back to the question I hear all the time.

So, why is Frozen so popular?

 It's a cartoon, I mean who doesn't love a good cartoon. I remember fighting with my brothers on Saturday morning to see who was going to get control of the television. We all loved Saturday morning television. They had the best cartoons, especially Looney Tunes, and that is how we spent our Saturdays.

It has those really catchy songs. Even now I still catch myself belting out "Let it Go" or "In Summer". The songs are some of the best I have heard from Disney and they just kind of get stuck in your head.

It has a villian that you just love to hate. I mean, who would have ever thought that he would have turned out to be the bad guy. I will not give anything away, just in case their are some people out there who have not seen it yet.

 It has an amazing storyline. Two sisters who just adore each other and then all of sudden one day they lose that. I know there were circumstances that got in the way,but that is life. If Elsa would have just been honest with Anna things would have definately went different. I think that is the case for all of us, we often leave things unsaid in families and we just fall away from one another. If we would just take the time to talk and listen we could learn about and help each other.

It is not only children that love the movie, but adults as well, most likely the women love it best. Which brings me to the point of why I just adore this movie and I believe so many other adult women love it too. I think Elsa is sort of like all of us.

I bet you wonder why I think that? Let me take just a few minutes to explain myself.

I believe that Elsa is like all of us mainly because she has to keep a secret that is eating her up inside. All of us have something that we will not share with others. Perhaps like Elsa we feel that our family and friends will not understand. That they will criticize or put us down for how we feel. Elsa felt as if she could not tell Anna what was going on and I think we all have that at times. I also feel connected to Elsa in that I just want to be free. I just want a place to be for me and only me. A place to go where I can be who I am without fear of judgment. A place to cry and weep if I need to. A place where I don't have to explain myself to anyone. Of course my place would be somewhere warm and tropical, the one way I differ from Queen Elsa. I believe that Elsa calls to us all in that she just felt overwhelmed and couldn't control herself. I think she felt like life was just dragging at her like it does us.  It is very important for us all to have time alone. That time to unwind and just "Let it Go". The things of life drag at us everyday and if we don't take the time to get it out of our system all of it will overtake us causing us to loss our sense of self.

Elsa was finally able to work through her problem and let her secret out. We may never be able to reveal that thing we are hiding from the world and we may never want to, but we must find us a place and a time to just be alone. We need it to clear our minds and help us get through the everyday things of life.

 



"That's my 'two-cents worth, what's yours?"

 

 

 

When you stop blooming

I have always heard people talk about blooming where your planted, just doing the work that you need to do during a season of your life. When I was in school all I had to do was my work and make sure I was able to graduate. I had to "bloom" right there in high school. Over the years my life has changed and I have had to" bloom" in different places and ways. As the weather has warmed up here I started to move all my inside plants outside. I noticed how my Peace Lilies were beginning to look like they might be ready to be transplanted to other pots.  I got the first Peace Lily almost 9 years ago and I have gotten several plants from that one. I gave a few away, but I still kept two of them.  As they grow and get to big for their pots the roots start to grow upward, the plants become root bound and will begin to die. The only way to save them is by moving them into a bigger pot.  As my mind went along this line of thinking, it occurred to me that we are just like my two little lilies. 

I bet some of you wonder how I could believe that we are like my little houseplants, but when you really stop to consider it we are.  First off let me explain the flower part of my analogy: When you first put a flower in a pot, you make sure the pot is big enough to give room for the flower to grow and thrive. At some point it will outgrow that pot and you will just have to keep moving it from pot to pot.  It is just the way things are, if you want your plant to live you have to take the time to care for it and make sure that it has the room it needs.

Now let me explain how that goes right along with our lives:  We like plants have to have room to grow and thrive in order to live and bloom. I will use a personal experience that may bring this whole idea into perspective. Once I was involved in an activity that I had been a part of for over 7 years. I had always enjoyed being a part of it, but then something's happened in my life and I just didn't enjoy being a part of my special place anymore.  I just felt like I was wilting and withering away, like I had gotten root bound and couldn't grow.  I felt stuck and I was very unhappy.  I begin to pray for the Lord to move me someplace else or to give me back the love for what I had been doing.  The Lord did work it out and moved me somewhere new, doing something that I love. You see the Lord saw that I was no longer able to "bloom" where I was and he moved me to a brand new place that allowed for growth and blooming. I now am able to thrive and grow.

So you see just like plants, we at times grow out of room and need to be moved so we can grow and thrive.  God has a special job for all of us, a place that he has just for us, but at times that place will change and perhaps he will need to move us or change us, so that we can grow and bloom for him. 

"That's my 'two-cents' worth, what's your's?" 

When people change

This is a topic that I know each and every one of us has had experience with. We grow up knowing someone our whole lives or we meet someone and know them for years, and then all of a sudden they are totally different. I know there are different reasons that people change, some for the better and some for the worse.

First off I want to talk about those who change for the worse:

We all know these people that for some reason or another reason they just go from the person we enjoyed spending time with, to someone we don't even want to see. What makes these people change? I guess maybe it is just the workings of life and sometimes they just don't know how to handle them. Maybe people just have so much happen that it feels like the struggle will never end. Maybe they just feel overwhelmed by all the "bad" and they just can not see the good.  I can personally  speak from experience, that the circumstances I have gone through have changed me drastically.  Some for the better, but some for the worse. That's right. I admit it, I have not always changed for the good.  I find myself more short tempered about some things. I have developed  a thick skin, something I never had before. I feel as if sometimes I have been stuck in a valley, battling my way through  and I have been scarred greatly by these battles. As the old cliché says, "Life is not easy." and I give a hearty AMEN to that.  I guess we can say that everyone has been changed for the worse, just because we no longer see the world through the naivety of a our younger selves.


Now to talk about those who change for the good:

When I think of people changing for the good I think about my husband. He grew up working on a tobacco farm and being used as free child labor. (I often wonder if people years ago had such big families just for the free child labor?)  His childhood was one of hard work and he had very little time to be a child. When he tells me stories I feel so sad for the lack of play time that he and his brother had. When he graduated he moved out, got a job and started living his life. He had lots of ups and downs, got in with some people who were the "party type" and did things that he won't even talk about now. He does tell me the occasional story and I can hardly believe that he survived to tell the tale. About 20 years ago, my husband decided that there had to be more to life that what he was living and he bowed on his knees and asked Jesus to save him. He says it was the best decision he has ever made. Jesus changed his life and made him a different person. You see that is a change for the better. I know lots of people that have had the same change. They have accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made when he died on the cross, the giving of himself for our sins, that we may have eternal life. 

John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


John 10:10 King James Version (KJV)
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

As you can see change is not always a bad thing, all people go through changes during life. We are changed by other people, circumstances, and life in general. The most important change is when we make the choice to let Jesus lead and guide our lives and to follow what he would have us to do.

 

"That's my 'two-cents worth', what's yours?"

 

You call that full???

One memory that sticks out to me from my childhood is that when you bought something at the grocery store was that is was full. I get so frustrated every time I buy a bag of chips. Why is it that you get half a bag of chips and half a bag of air.  I feel like I am being robbed over and over again when I go to the grocery store. It is not just chips, but lots of different types of food. I discovered the other day it is not just food, but all sorts of products we have to buy each day. 

The one that really gets me is toilet paper. Can I just say how much I hate to buy it and then just watch it as it gets flushed down the toilet, literally!  The only reason they charge so much for it is because they know that you have to have it. One day while watching Extreme Cheapskates I saw this lady who does not use toilet paper. Yes, you read that right. She does not use toilet paper. She has a small trash can by her toilet and they have rags that they use, then drop into the trash can, so she can wash them and use them all over again.  I consider myself a cheapskate, but not even I am that cheap!!  I am not going to lie, I have washed and reused things like paper plates, plastic spoons, etc., but not even I am going to go that far. I will just use coupons and try to find the best deal I can on TP.

 

It seems that all the products that we buy have shrunk in size and increased in price.  I have seen the price of items I buy regularly go up in price over the last 10 years.  How in the world are we expected to provide for our families when you can't get anything for your money?  I get so frustrated sometimes I could just scream. Here we are doing all we can to make it and the person in front of me is stocking up using food stamps, then using their cash to buy lottery tickets, beer, etc.  It just makes me so happy to know my husband works and pays taxes so they can support their habit (I say in my most sarcastic voice). Of course that is a whole different topic and a blog post in itself. 

 

I am sure that so many people out there feel the same as me.  I hate the feeling of being robbed at every place I go. I recently was searching for a place to have my daughters birthday party this year and called the park I have used many times before. They told me that a new rule was put in place last year that meant an extra $20 to rent the picnic shelter if you didn't leave in that city limit. What!?! I guess they would rather let it stay empty and not make anything than rent it out for the regular price.  Like I said, we are getting rob at every turn in life and there does not seem to be anything we can do about it, except for coupons and you can't use those for everything.  

 

Another thing is that you keep hearing all this about eating healthy. We should eat more fruits/veggies and less processed food. Well they should make those things more affordable to people. I still buy it in and out of season.  I really hate spending as much as we do, but I would rather spend it now and eat healthy, than give my money to the doctor later on.  One thing I do is to buy it when it is in season and freeze it for later in the year, having a big freezer is a huge help.

 

Does anybody else out there feel like your being robbed at every turn? If so, leave a comment and maybe it will spark a discussion and eventually a change.

 

Anyway, that is my rant for the day and for this blog, I got to get back to the whole housewife/Mom/Tink thing that I do.

 

 

                                     "That's my 'two-cents worth, what's yours?"

 

When My Calling was called Inadequate (at least it felt that way)

I recenly had a interesting conversation with another mother. We are friends and our children  play together. I am a stay at home mom. She is a working mother. They have new cars and live in a brick home. (They are making payments) We have used cars and live in a modest home. (All of it is paid for).  Her children are giving almost everything by their grandparents. I fuss at my parents when they give to my kids. I feel if you give to them everyday they will not and can not appreciate it. We get together for the children to play, but I always leave feeling uncomfortable. It always seems to feel as if all they have is being flaunted in my face. Of course I am sure that is only way it comes across. It is still hard when my youngest always leaves talking about all these kids have and how she wants the same stuff. My response to her is, "there is always your birthday and Christmas, put them on your list."  I often feel as if she believes  that by being a stay at home I am depriving my children of things, that I am not living up to my potential. Can I just say that I resent being made to feel this way (even if it is not the intention). I feel like my job is one of the most important there is. I am always available to be with my children. If they are sick at school I can go right to pick them up and not have to call someone else. I am there if they are sick or hurt. I recall the time I spent with my oldest as she was going through chemo treatments and think about how I would not have been able to be with her and work a full time job.

I have always lived a financially conservative lifestyle. Some would call me cheap, but I just call it being money responsible, a lesson I am trying to teach my children.  I coupon, save, price match and do anything else I can to make each and every dollar stretch and go as far as possible.  I am sure some people wonder about how we vacation like we do. Simple, we have a certain amount each year budgeted for vacation and we only do big vacations (like Disney) after we have saved up all the funds needed for the trip.  I am completely and totally against charging vacations or any big purchase. You should only buy those types of things if you have the cash money to pay for them. For example, we just bought a new to us minivan and we paid cash for it. The idea of buying a brand new car, having 7 years of payments and having it loss $5000 in value as soon as you drive off the lot is unbearable to me.

My husband works hard to provide for us. We have never been hungry or done without the necessities of life. The Lord has always provided for us all of our needs and even some of our wants.  There have been lots of times we have had to say no, not only to our children, but to ourselves as well. There have been numerous times I have wanted something, but I will leave it to think about it. Most often I find I really didn't really want it after all. I don't feel the need to buy my kids brand new clothes and shoes every week. In fact often times I buy most of their clothes at thrift stores, yard sales and consignments.

My children may not have all they want, but they do have all their needs meet. They do have a mother that does all she can to take care of them. These are the important things. If people choose to work or even have no choice that is fine, but not degrade what I do (or make me feel that way) just because you don't like my choice.  I am a modern women. I do not live in the 1950's and my husband does not make me stay home. I choose to do it because it is all I have ever wanted to do.

"That's my 'two-cents worth', what's yours?"

How We Prepared for Disney

The fact that I am writing this blog means that we have already been on our Disney vacation, that is such a sad thought. Two weeks ago we were soaking up the Florida sunshine and today we are freezing and having what I call our second winter.  I tried to tell my husband I am suffering from vacation depression, meaning I need to go back, he didn't buy it.

Anyway that is another post all by itself.  I have shared with you in a previous post about how we saved for our trip, so today I wanted to share how we prepared for our trip.

Preparing for Disney:
1. The first part of this is of course the saving. I am sure lots of people make this same trip every year and then come home to the huge bill for it that they have to pay off. We do not go every year and will not go until the trip can be paid for in full, including all spending/gas money. Here is the link to my saving post, http://mywayofthinkin.blogspot.com/2015/01/how-i-saved-for-disney.html

2. I read lots of blogs and checked out post on Pinterest to learn what to pack, bring and things to do while we were there. One blog that I follow and read almost daily is http://www.couponingtodisney.com/. Kristen always had some great tips, not just on Disney, but on how to save as well.  I also created a Pinterest board with all sorts of tips and tricks for our trip, https://www.pinterest.com/graciemoon1/our-next-disney-trip/.

3. I created a packing list for each and every member of my family. I used an example from Pinterest and adjusted it for my family. I am happy to say that I didn't forget anything, but I did over pack just a little. My excuse, you can never be to prepared. We may have needed to change clothes for some reason one day.

4.I bought lots of things to pack a snack bag.  We were on the Disney Dining plan, so we each got one snack a day at the parks. I used our packed bag for the trip to and from and also for snacks back at the hotel in the evenings. I also packed bottled water and drinks in a cooler for the trip. We took the empty bottles into the parks and filled them up at the fountains.

5. We each decided on the must do's while we were at Disney. There were rides and shows that the girls wanted to do and see. We made it a point to work our way around the park and try our best to take in all that the kids and us wanted to do. We used up our fastpasses and then made more when we could. We also did some  waiting in line, but the longest was 45 minutes so Rapunzel could sign my frying pan. I am happy to say that all the other lines were around 20 minutes, not to bad for Disney, is you ask me.

So, there you have it, the main and most important ways we prepared for our trip. I am now in the process of saving all over again for our next big trip, which is not going to be Disney. Shocked? I am sure lots of people who know me will be, but I love to travel and see new things. I do plan on returning to Disney again, but right now I feel Alaska calling my name. I am hoping and praying to be able to take that trip in 2018.

"That's my 'two-cents worth', what's yours?"

The Terribles

This weekends blog post should bring some reality and a little laughter to your day. I think back to when my first born was almost two years old and what they called the Terrible Twos set in. Oh my goodness, what a trying time that was for me.  I took some comfort from the fact that her pediatrician explained that all children go through the same stage. When our second child was almost two I expected the same thing, but her experience was much different than her sister.  She was not quite as bad. One day during a conversation with my mother we were talking about the little girl that I babysit during the day and how she was beginning the stage of the Terrible Twos. During our conversation we talked about how we knew some adults that never grew out of the Terrible Twos.

After hanging up the phone with her, I really got to thinking about that idea. I mean do any of us ever really grow out of the terribles? Sure we become adults, live in the adult world and act like adults for the most part, but do we ever really get out of that I want it now stage?

Some of us live each day the best we can, striving to be the best we can be in all situations. Still when we have worked on and planned something and it doesn't work out. When we have prayed and ask continually for something and it goes the other way, we may find our selves exhibiting The Terribles. Our attitudes get bad, we fuss, sulk and just act like little children.  Should we? Of course not, but I think it is just the way we as humans are. Then after some time for contemplation we realize that things don't always go our way. We get back to our "normal" selves and go on with life.

Of course there are the other types of adults who literally act like children. When things don't go their way they pitch hissy fits and tantrums. They never grow up and insist on making other peoples lives miserable. I mean they have to know what they look and sound like.  I am sure in their minds they have what seems to be a perfectly good reason for what they do, but whatever the reason they have for their actions, it is still ridiculous! Nobody wants to spend time with someone like this and  they only do it if they are the same way or they have no choice.

I know all of us have times when we want to just lay in the floor, kick, scream and just act out, but we can't. I mean what the world be like if everyone reacted to life like a two year old?

So no matter your age or stage of life The Terribles will still be there, you just have to be prepared to make sure they don't get the upper hand.

"That's my 'two-cents worth', what's yours?"