There's been a change in format in Xanga world so I'm just clicking around and getting used to it..pardon the dust, this is only a test to see how blogs work now

 Of course, with all the talking about Miley I have to get in on it! All day I've been wracking my brain on VMA moments that were risque and controversial for that time frame and revisiting them and seeing if it involved more clothes than Miley. Most of the moments I remember growing up that caused a stir were well, not as trashy of a display as what I saw from her..So, let's take the journey! Also, looking back on it I see how what was once shocking isn't that shocking anymore and how many artists are just pushing the limits of good taste too far.

Seriously, I want to take Miley aside. Take her to buy some respectable clothes, get her a blanket and a cookie and figure out why she went to this level especially with her abilities and talents. She's selling herself short for sex appeal..I mean hey, I went through that phase too at her age but it wasn't on THIS level. Since I have two young girls and pretty much a whole lot of nieces I do worry about them thinking that they have to be sexy or act dumb to get respect. Yeah, as a woman you shouldn't have to put yourself out there on that level. No one will respect you when you walk around half naked and shake your butt in their face. If you want respect then dress the part and cover yourself up, ladies. If you don't want men calling you names and disrespecting you then act like a respectful person! Okay, enough of my rant..now, let's look back at what was once controversial many, many years ago and now seem overly tame in comparison to what was put on TV last night.

Yep- still more clothes than Miley!

She's still more covered!

Yes, still more clothes!

Yep- she's still got on more clothes than Miley.

Hmm..yep, still more clothes than Miley!

And finally, here's one of my favorite dresses from when I was Miley's age aka 20 years of age..

Yep, I look like a nun compared to Miley Cryus! Seriously, ladies..PUT ON SOME CLOTHES!! Its not cute to bounce around half naked..Cover yourselves up! /endrant

Do you remember when you were a kid and handed a plate of veggies that were..well, that you couldn't recognize for the life of you. Whatever it may have been for you...Broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts..well, you turned your nose up at it even though you had never tried it yet? Well...listen up comic book geeks!! Yes, you!

Those of you who are complaining about Ben Affleck getting the role of Batman are basically acting like kids with an unknown veggie in front of their face. He hasn't even put on the costume yet...If anything, he's read the script for a select few who did cast him BUT we as the general public have not seen what he can or cannot do with the role. Since yesterday when this news threw up all over my Facebook I have been following it. Ya know, me being a comic book geek and all...but still, people have complained about casting and ended up being WRONG. We do not work in the business- so our words are pointless. I always roll my eye's at people who don't understand dance or music because I did study it. I'm sure the same can be said for the movie industry. We don't work the casting nor do we have the knowledge to have a say in it..so yeah, shut up! Its not your place.

All I see in comments all over the place is a bunch of adults acting like kids who are faced with a plate with a nameless strange vegetable. If you haven't tried it yet then you don't know if you'll like it or not. Seriously, stop whining for the time being and give the guy a shot much like your parents would make you try the unknown vegetable. In short, stop whining until we see SOMETHING on if he will mess it up or not..okay, that is my comic book rant!

 So, Time magazine is at it again by creating controversy! I swear they do this just to see magazines nowadays but anyways, they posted this article: http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/is-being-childfree-selfish--debating-time-magazine-s-touchy-new-issue-204219641.html

And well, it is now a huge controversy both among parents and non-parents. Is it really selfish to be childfree? No, its not. I happen to know a handful to couples who have made the choice to NOT have kids but be married. It is a personal choice to have kid(s) or not and no one should even be pointing a finger at you for your own personal lifestyle choice. As long as what you decide to do is legal and isn't hurting anyone..more power to you! I think its selfish to simply have a kid just because you feel pressured by whomever to have kids. If you don't have kids..Well, simply don't have kids and don't feel sorry for it. If you doubt you'll make a good parent. Well, hey its better to not have kids then be a crappy parent or an even unhappy/miserable parent. Parenting much like marriage isn't for everyone. Sure, it has its good days but it also has its bad days. The first year of your child's life is well..a blur. Most of the first year of my youngest daughters life I have a hard time remembering and I have a good memory but I was so sleep deprived that for the most part I was just going through the motions and hoping to get some sleep in there..somewhere.

Now personally, I do relate to the one editor in the article who stated that SHE gets called selifish and not a real parent because only has one child and one step child. Yep, I am in her exact boat. Seriously, just because we have the rights to have more than one child doesn't mean you are required to have more than one child. I know I wrote a blog on this last year but yeah, sometimes parents who decide to only have one kid..Well, they made their own personal choice to not have any other kids for their own personal reasons and that's their own call- not yours. Again, I state..Can we just find our own business anymore?

You have parents having wars with parents over how they decide to handle their child(ren) and their own in-house issues, Mom vs Mom(which as I've experience they can get nasty) over well, everything about each other because that's how women can be at times..Urgh, seriously people..Just mind your own business! Last I checked as adults you can make your own adult decisions on lifestyle. You are not under your parents thumb anymore and free to pick whatever you want for your life. So, hey..yeah..as long as the person is happy with how they have decided to live, don't go poking your head into their business and telling them they are bad person for not doing something that you did. Your life is not their life- as long as no one is getting hurt then simply, mind your own business and butt-out. Just because you can say something to someone also doesn't mean you should say it. Along with the internet we also have people thinking they can behave one way behind the screen and continue to behave that way offline too. Its called giving people respect and sometimes just not saying anything at all about what's going on your mind. Again, mind your own business and but out sometimes..

Okay, so that's my rant for the day...

 So, I discovered this show on Netflix. I ended up staying up until 1:30am watching it..Yes, I know, I know..this already doesn't sound promising but anyways...You can laugh at me now because I have now fallen in love with basically a teen/tween drama that airs in Australia on ABC. This show is basically a half hour teen drama that follows teens that are in a highly advanced dance academy/high school. I thought it was going to be completely cheesy but I gave it a watch and yes, I am now addicted. Hey, I've been known to watch "Drake and Josh" and whatnot with no kid around..so, I guess its not something I should be ashamed of..but let me continue.

This show is highly interesting to me because I was at one point a dancer and in fact, I was a dance major in college. I never did pointe and I only really took ballet because I had too in all honesty but the dancer in me loves this show especially more so since I have nieces who are dancers. Also, for a teen show it seemed highly realistic with the issues they touched upon in the dance school. There wasn't ONE episode yet where I haven't watched, shook my head and said 'yep, that's what goes on in the dance world.' I got so interested in fact that I looked up the creator of the show and I wasn't shocked to find out that the writer/creator was once a ballerina whose career got cut short after an ankle injury.

I can not begin to tell you how many times over the years when I was dancing that I was told that dancing wasn't a 'smart' move or that it wasn't a 'real job'...For anyone who says that or even thinks that..watch this show. Dancers like musicians do not get days off and work on their craft seven days a week. If you are lucky and get into a company you get two weeks off in the summer and that's it. The thing that got me was the main character. I WAS that main character at one point in time. I was the one with 'potential' but bad technique. I was the young one that was moved up and skipped an entire level of training because I was 'too good' for the class I should have been placed in. At 12 I was in advanced tap(after being in beginner tap) with girls who were 14-19 years of age. I was the awkward/weird one that was outta place and didn't fit in because I was light years younger than everyone else in class. Tap was my main focus..always was and I do admittedly still start doing tap dancing steps while I'm on the computer or bored waiting in line some place. I also admittedly pointe and flex my toes when I'm bored...still, today.

The show highlights how much work goes into dancing. It doesn't just stop when class ends either..The show also points out a lot of emotional issues I've seen in numerous studios. In the show there's a guy who is being run over the fire by his parents because ballet isn't a 'boy' thing. In one my studio where I took tap and hip hop there was a boy in my hip hop class- he was good! He made into the company, took ballet, took jazz but ultimately he lost some studio time because his Dad was pressuring him because dancing wasn't a 'boy' thing.

The show also highlights the pain the feet go through. My feet will never look normal. I had to explain to Logan right when I started dating him that my feet were ugly and why I didn't wear open toe shoes. Your feet take a beating especially in my modern class in college that required you to do it barefoot. I also completely understand the whole 'body issue' thing it touches upon. I know in ballet the girls are put on a much stronger grading scale on their bodies but I was always told growing up that I could never make it in ballet because my hips are too wide...and yeah, you really can't change your body type and how your body is formed...so, I went the other routes with tap and modern and as my main studies. You do kind of become a 'hip that needs more turn out' or an 'arm that needs more support' after a while. If there's one thing I learned between both dance and music is that there is always room for improvement. There was also never not a girl in any of my classes that wasn't overly worried about their weight. Yes, things in this show are made slightly over dramatic but its realistic. In each one of my numerous classes there was always a girl overly worried about her big boobs, having too much weight, or worried about love handles...

This show has reminded me of soo many stories from the studio. The one character(ironically named Catt) is the bad influence who she makes friends with..Yep, I had that in college! I made friends with the 'bad influence' dancer. Her and I would go to the dance club on the weekend and sometimes stay out until 3am in the mornings on certain days. She was fun but at the same point in time we kept each other in line in class(es) she helped with technique and since she was having problems with English class I in turn would help her out there..those were good times! 

This show makes me want to buy that pair of split sole ballet shoes I have in my wish list on Amazon. Seriously, I've danced quite a bit over the summer and even put on my tap shoes. When it comes down to my tap shoes especially I can recall stuff and routines outta nowhere..Same goes for ballet. I can just start running through barre exercises without a second thought. Its part of my programming..Same with the flute where I picked up the flute after last picking it up at 20 something and just started running scales from memory. The discipline from the arts/dance/music is something everyone should at least dip their toe into it at least once. If you wanna know what hard work is..take up something in arts! I can proudly say I know how to push through pain and smile because of dance Mind you, I only watched up to the mid-season finale last night and there's three season..I'm sure I'll end up being reminded of more studio stories the more I watch..Thank you random TV show for reminding me how wonderful dance happens to be and how even though its hard work..its still worth it at the end of the day. I endured blood, sweat and tears(literally) as my time as a dancer and as my time as trying to become a professional dancer and even though I wasn't one of the one percent that even make it into a company..the time was well worth it, I still appreciate the craft and still take joy in it today.

 Okay, my youngest is a tomboy. She likes football, cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses...Basically anything that is typically labeled 'boy' interest's but at the same point in time she likes Hello Kitty and Lalaloopsy. She's basically a well rounded kid..well, to me at least..here's my question though..

Why is that a girl can't like football, cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, trucks and even "Ninja turtles". At least once a year(sometimes more) I find myself buying clothes for my youngest from the little boy section. Now, certain designers/realtors have caught on and are now selling certain stuff for girls but not everyone has caught on. Yes, just today I ordered my youngest a pair of TMNT PJs and they are boys! Same day- within the same hour I ordered her Lalaloopsy which is completely girlie and basically rag dolls....all for the same kid! Seriously, with all of the 'free forward' thinking nowadays with parenting..why is it still so hard to believe that a little girl may like "Thomas the train engine" or even like football. Am I ashamed of shopping for my little girl in the boys department from time to time..Nope, but I think the gender gap should be fixed. A girl CAN and SHOULD be allowed to be interested in cars, trucks, trains and automobiles..Its not just a boy thing anymore! Give the little girls a chance to buy a cute pink shirt with a car on it..come on, get with the program...the rest of the world!

 Okay, so..my youngest has had phases off and since she was two years old where she becomes obsessed with "My little pony" and today I ended up finding out about a complete 'reboot' of the characters..See here:

http://thestir.cafemom.com/big_kid/158772/my_little_pony_makeover_gives

Okay, now..I am with the other Mother's who are getting a headache from this...does everything have to be about sex appeal? These little pony girls are walking around in hardly any clothing and mind you, I have NOT seen the movie that goes along with these new 'ponies' but still..I have an almost eight year old and I don't think I'm going to expose her to these new 'pony girls'. There's too much pressure on young girls nowadays to look a certain way. In fact, my youngest recently won't wear shorts or skirts because she's worried about being made fun of because of her long legs. Why do we need to promote it? Why not let kids be kids for as long as possible? Whatever happened to letting kids be kids? I understand they may be wanting to keep the 10 plus crowd buying their products but still..the younger ones are going to latch onto it as well which isn't right.

Urgh, just leave the classic's alone! I grew up on the classic "My little pony" and I loved it when my youngest wanted to get "My little pony" dolls and now, I have to dread her wanting one of these 'new' dolls when I take her to Target. Its maddening to say the least..Don't mess with the things we 80s kids grew up on- if they start messing with "Cabbage Patch Kids" I will lose my mind completely.

 Okay, so this is new thing to me but I am now taking and picking up my daughter from school. This hasn't happened since pre-school but I have to say in my observations(since I am there at the start and end of school) that I am a bit confused by the clothing choice of some of the women who are coming to up their children.

Once upon a time(last school year) I was worried about anyone even seeing my Mommy Tatt which mind you, is a tattoo but its my Mommy tattoo and I would always make it a point to cover it up when going to pick her up(the two times it happened in the school year). Today alone, I spotted two teachers with visible tattoo's and one parent who had a full arm sleeve..this made me feel more comfortable to show off my ink. Now, the only thing I questioned was the few female's I saw walking into the school wearing barely anything. The one women was in booty shorts. I had to do a double take because her shorts were so short I thought they were panties and she had on a tight tank top as well..Really? I always thought you had to at least dress appropriately for where you were going and walking into an elementary school in booty shorts and a tight tank top seems rather out of place. I understand you may be someplace else but seriously, if I can see your butt out of your shorts make it a point to change..This isn't a dance club..this is a school..When did this become acceptable? How is this acceptable? I always thought you should adapt the school's dress code when dressing to pick up your child or am I wrong? I have a drawer filled with dresses that I deem as 'school appropriate' because they keep me covered, aren't too short, or too reveling but from what I've seen this week apparently, a lot of other parents don't hold that standard. Don't get wrong- I like the fact that I don't have to be ashamed of my ink but I won't dress like a video dancer in a rap video to pick up my daughter.

There's a time and place to dress sexy and to me, well..going into a school dressed sexy and with shorts and skirts and dresses that are way too short is well, not the right place for it..Some of these kids are about to start junior high where the hormones are a raging and its not best to show off to much..seriously...how is this okay?

  Yes, this is a serious question..Has technology made us dumb? Sure, its nice to be connected at all times but seriously, it seems to have made us dumb. I was out at the airport for about two hours while my oldest got onto the plane. Now, mind you..the amount of people NOT paying attention to the world around them and paying more attention to their smartphones was maddening. I had my own run-ins with trying to avoid people who weren't paying attention to themselves or even their children but my husband was physically knocked over by someone's luggage who well, wasn't paying attention.

  I think its great that you can be connected to the internet at all times nowadays but at the same time I think it has made us forget about our manners. More and more nowadays I run into people who are more interesting in their cell phones than the people around them. Even when I go to the mall I do sometimes peer into the restaurants and notice how many people are sitting there with someone else and yet paying more attention to their cell phones other then the people who are around them. Seriously people, put down your phone at times. I do sometimes take a picture of something while I'm out to ask a question but I take the picture and quickly move on. I have seen it happen numerous times where the person is just taking a picture and texting right there. Again, its common sense just move out of the way while you wait to figure out from the person on the other end to tell you if the product is correct or not.

Too many people have lost their manners because they are attached on to their cell phone, hanging out on Facebook, texting, etc etc..Sure, do that..its fine but there's a time and place for everything and if it is distracting you from whats going on around you or even the people around you...Well, put down the phone. Further more, just because you behave a certain way online doesn't mean its acceptable to behave that way in real life. In the past ten years I've noticed an increase in insane amount of stupid/rude comments. There's a way to behave and just because you behave that way online doesn't mean its acceptable to do so in real life. Anyways, the commentary of today is..put down your cell phones every once in a while and pay attention.

 To the Mom's of the world,

  You do not have to perfect all the time. We are all allowed to make mistakes. Some of us will admit our mistakes quicker than others but always remember that even those who are 'perfect parents' have made their mistakes and made their misjudgements just they may not be as open about their mistakes as you are..

 Never feel sorry for making the decisions that is best for you and your family. You are the woman who gave birth to your child(ren) and you above all know them best. Never feel sorry for taking time for yourself outside of your child(ren). Never feel sorry for making choices that are best for your family. You can never keep everyone happy BUT if everyone in your household is for the most part happy that's all that matters. Yes, we will all have our bad days and days where we are upset and frustrated or feeling under appreciated but don't let anyone make you feel bad for feeling those things.

 You are not perfect, your child(ren) are not perfect. Even though many Mother's want to put on a front that their child(ren) are perfect. We all have our moments because we are all human. No one can be 'on' all the time. Again, don't feel bad for making decisions based on what you know not on what they think they know. Bullies don't just go away once you are an adult and bullies come in all different forms. Never feel sorry for ditching someone who makes you feel small and tiny and worthless. You are better than that and you know it. Don't let anyone pressure you into having more kids than you are comfortable with either- it is your choice and your families choice on how big or small your little clan happens to be.

 Being a Mother/Wife isn't easy and we all make mistakes at times but never let someone make you feel horrible for your mistakes or your decisions. You know your family best and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Make your own calls within your own life. If you don't fit into 'normal' don't worry about it. 'Normal' is boring anyways..Don't let society tell you how you should live.

In short, Mommies...Stand your ground and don't feel sorry for standing your ground especially when it comes down to your own family.