The Through the Looking Glass Project

So a lot has been going on in our little weirdie world.  I mean a lot.  Friends have come and gone, the world has turned round, and eyes, hearts and minds have been opened.  Now when this blog was first started it was not supposed to be about religion, but with the state of the world today, it always seems to keep going back there.  Whether through fear, or hate, or just misconception or miscommunication, religion is a serious hot-topic button right now in the US.  As a Christian myself I still find all this turmoil a bit disconcerting.

This country was established in 1776 by a group of deists looking for religious freedom.  Deists are people that believe in a God.  The founding fathers wanted simply to worship the God of their choosing in their own chosen manner.  They weren't necessarily Christians.  Some of them were, some of them weren't, some of them were atheists.  The point was, they wanted a country where they were free to be who they were, not a country where everyone had to be the same.  So off to the new world they went.  The United States as it is today, is a VERY Christian society.  For me and my family, I'm comfortable with that.  We're Christian, its what we know, what we grew up with, what we believe.  BUT, what if we weren't.  What if we were Buddhist, or Muslim, or even Pagan?  How would we feel then?  How would we feel if we were a young, Buddhist, going through puberty and being bullied everyday by people that called themselves Christians and were raised to "love their neighbors" and being allowed to bully under the guise of "religious freedom"? 

Well that is what has gotten me started on this little campaign of religion.  Most people bully out of fear and fear the unknown.  After talking with a good friend of mine who is a Pagan, I discovered EVERYTHING I thought I knew is wrong.  That's right.  Everything I was taught about other religions growing up is a big fat falsehood of a lie shrouded in foggy misunderstandings wrapped up in rumors.  I intended to get to the bottom of those lies and expose these religions for what they really are.  To bring the truth to the forefront and learn the traditions and experiences that make up the core of each individual sect. I will be doing my own research both through real books and online, as well as talking to real people, hopefully in the area, that are active members in their particular communities. 

About 70-74% on the US identifies as Christian.  That leaves me 26-30% of the US to get to know and understand.  I'm not trying to like everyone or convert myself to every single religion.  This project is about truth and dispelling rumors, like all pagans worship the devil.  This is one false mainly because most pagans don't believe in a concept of a devil and its hard to worship something that you don't believe in.  So wish me luck, or wish me patience as i weed through everything and get down to the truth of the matter.  As Christians we are taught not to study other religions, but I always asked myself why.  If our religion is so infallible and Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light; then what harm can come from looking at other religions?

The Lessons I WILL Teach My Daughters

100 Lessons I WILL Teach My Daughters

1. Chocolate is only a temporary fix.
2. A properly-fitting bra is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
3. Your happiness is your happiness and yours alone. 
4. You are NOT responsible for someone else's happiness
5. How to apply red lipstick.  Make sure to wear the crap out of that red lipstick
6. A boyfriend does not validate your existence.  EVER.
7. Eat the extra slice of pizza.
8. Wear what makes you feel gracefully at ease.
9. Love the world unconditionally.
10. Seek beauty in all things.
11. Buy your friends dinner when you can.
12. Wear sunscreen like it’s your second job.
13. Try with all your might to keep in contact with far-away friends.
14. Make the world feel at ease around you.
15. You are too pretty to walk with your head down.
16. Order a cheeseburger on the first date if you want to.
17. Never, ever bite your nails.
18. Swipe on some of that red lipstick, put on your leather jacket, and do something rebellious.
19. Learn from your mistakes that night.

20. Dental hygiene is not multiple choice.
21. Your GPA is not a confession of your character.  All I ask is that you try your best.
22. There is strength in breaking down.
23. Yoga. Tai Chi, simple meditation, bible study, bubble baths.  I don't care what but find SOMETHING to restore your inner peace.
24. Pick a tea.
25. Take care of your feet.
26.Learn alternatives for cleaning products and medications even if you don;t use them.
27. Even if you’re tall, wear the heels anyway.
28. Classy is a relative term.
29. Drink whiskey if you like whiskey; drink wine if you like wine, or Pabst Blue Ribbon strait from the can if you want. 
30.Pretending to like something to impress someone else will only make you look the fool when the truth comes out. 
31. Like what you like; sci-fi nerds unite!
32. Offer no explanations for weirdness.  Being weird is like being a limited edition.  It means you are special and one of a kind.
33. Advil and Gatorade.
34. You are no less of a woman when you’re in sweats and gym shoes than a woman in stilettos and a pencil skirt.
35. A woman is a woman is a woman.
36. Love your fellow woman with all your heart and soul (this means all your sisters), there is no room to be catty in sisterhood.
37. Cry, uninhibited, with your friends.
38. Laugh until you can’t breathe with your friends.
39. Tell me everything.
40. Exercise to be strong and healthy. A beautiful soul needs a sturdy vessel.
41. There is no shame in hoping for love, but there is shame in being desperate for it.
42. My cooking is the best cooking.
43. Do not take sex lightly. EVER.
44. I mean it.  SERIOUSLY.
45. Anna Karenina. I’d like it if you read it.
46. The world spins on the principle of inherent tragedy.
47. Do not be blind to it.
48. Men are effectively idiots until somewhere between the ages of 26-30. (YES, even your father)

49. Carbohydrates are not the enemy.
50. Involve yourself in an organized activity of your choosing.
51. Listen to classical music occasionally.
52. Take hot baths.
53. Epsom salts and baking soda can do wonders to detox your body and soul.
54. You are more than capable.
55. I promise.
56. Don’t smile if you don’t mean it.
57. Mean your anger. Mean your sadness. Mean your pain.  Never be fake.
58. I am always, ALWAYS listening.  Even if it's something I don't want to hear, I am still listening.
59. Travel.
60. Get stuck in a foreign country with $4.67 in your account or some other desperate situation.  Put on your big girl panties and deal with it.  When you make it home call me and tell me all about it.
61. Make me furious.
62. Make me worry.
63. Come home smelly, tired, and with a good story.  Remember I am always listening and I want to hear it!
64. Your story isn’t really yours, remember you are a compilation of others' stories.
65. Remember this when you meet someone for the first time, even if it will be the last time you ever see them.
66. Well-fitting and modest is ALWAYS sexier than too small and tight.  Be comfortable, be you.
67. Who cares if glitter isn’t tasteful?

68. It’s too much makeup if you have to ask.  You make you beautiful, not the makeup.
69. Learn to bake for when you’re sad and I’m not there.
70. Humility and subservience are not synonyms.
71. Wash your face twice per day.
72. Be gentle with your skin.
73. Science is really cool.
74. So is literature.
75. And history.
76. And math.
77. There is no substitute for fresh air.
78. Carry your weight.  Love yourself and your body.  Love the skin you're in.
79. Make up for it later if you can’t.
80. That salad is not better than pasta and it never will be.

81. You’re fooling no one.
82. Find at least three green vegetables you can tolerate.
83. A smoothie is not a meal.  There is no such thing as a meal replacement.
84. Expect the best from everyone.
85. People will let you down.
86. Bask in the sun (wearing a sunhat and SPF 90).
87. There is a certain kind of man you need to avoid at all costs.
88. You’ll know it when you meet him.  If you are unsure, ask your sister.  That's what sisters are for.
89. What other people say is right doesn’t always feel right.
90. What feels right is where your happiness is.
91. Give thoughtful gifts.  Always.  A prepaid credit card gift card is not thoughtful. 
92. Form an opinion.
93. Stick to it.
94. Exfoliation in moderation.
95. Argue with people when you need to.
96. If it’s worth fighting for, fight fiercely.
97. Don’t fight for acceptance.  You shouldn't have to.
98. Take pictures, but not too many.  Put down the camera sometimes and make some memories.
99. Follow your bliss at all costs. (I’m cutting you off at 22 though).
100.  Ice cream, however, might just be a permanent fix.




*Based on 101 Lessons I Will Teach My Daughter by Leah Froehle as seen on Thought Catalog

Return to Wonder...I mean Weirdieland

Holy Crow has it been almost a year already since I last blogged?  Well let me tell you life has really changed in this house, and hopefully for the better. 

Quick Updates: Little Queen will be turning EIGHT soon, and is finishing up a very wonderful second grade year with an equally wonderfully second grade teacher.  She started girl scouts and her leader is the neighbor two doors down that made her feel very welcome and she has really come out of her shell this year.  The tutoring has really kicked in and she is getting additional help from the school system as well.  Pretty soon she won't need any special services at all.  We are so happy for her and the strides she has made this past year. 

Little Mad Hatter is just as weird and mad as ever, leading her kindergarten room in class clownery.  I'm not shocked, at all.  We've been informed that she is 1/4 of a little clique but is in no way exclusive of anyone and always welcomes all to play.  She is super smart as well an tends to aggravate her sister by being a Ms Know-It-All.  After all, isn't that what little sisters are for?  She is now 6 1/2 and just loves life to the fullest.

Little Cheshire Cat is well, yea three.  What can I say.  Mischievous as ever, and still stuck in the terrible two phase, caught somewhere between sis going to school and a new baby.  Not quite a big girl, but not a baby anymore either.  I get where she is coming from, but there are days I want to duct tape her to the wall. 

So that brings us to the new addition, born August 2013.  Our perfect Little Baby Alice (no that's not her real name).  Baby Alice is by all means the baby of the family, and adored by all of us, even Little Cheshire cat asks to hold her or feed her occasionally.  Notice I said occasionally.  Mostly I get told "Mom, baby is crying and I'm trying to watch Dora!"  Ah life with kids. 

As for our living situation, still in St Louis.  Daddy playing card was offered a better opportunity to stay in St Louis and after MUCH pushing on Mommy end, he took it.  Moving across the country with 4 kids, one of them being a newborn no longer sounded like an adventure when I realized the cost of living was SO drastically different that we would have to pay twice as much just to rent back the same size house we currently own.  So we stayed.  We have plans to add on to our current house and turn our smallish three bedroom into a bigger 4 bedroom with a double sized family room.  I am so excited and I can't wait.  Construction will begin in September.  Its going to be awesome and I will finally get this crib out of my room and actually get my own bedroom furniture out of the garage. Exciting, exciting!

We do have one more family member that we adopted shortly after Baby Alice was born.  Daddy playing card was missing the spastic Little White Rabbit and wanted another puppy.  He never specific what kind or how big of a puppy, so Mommy playing card came home with the Jabberwock, Teddy.  Teddy is an 18 month old Bullmastiff that thinks he is a teeny tiny kitten and everyone wants to hold him.  Isn't he cute?

So that's all for now.  I have lots of plans on the horizon for this blog and it will be random and completely unrelated but I want to get it all out there so it is what it is. 

Enjoy!